Moving to a .gov.uk domain can feel like a big step for parish councils. Fortunately, the Parish Council Domain Helper Service (PCDHS) is here to make it simple, secure and stress-free.
It sets the minimum standards councils should meet online, from email security and accessibility to domain protection and ongoing support.
As a registered PCDHS provider, HugoFox handles the entire process, providing councils with a trusted online presence without the technical headaches.
What is the Parish Council Domain Helper Service?
The PCDHS is a framework created by the Government Digital Service to ensure Parish Councils have the digital tools and protections they need. At its heart, it makes sure councils can operate confidently online using a secure and professional .gov.uk domain name.
That means councils receive a dedicated .gov.uk web address, compliant email services for clerks and councillors, reliable security checks, and ongoing help in clear, non-technical language.
It also ensures that websites meet legal accessibility requirements so every resident, regardless of ability, can access council information.
HugoFox is one of the providers officially recognised to deliver this service. When you choose us, you don’t just tick a compliance box; you gain a partner who will guide you through each step and continue to support you long after your new domain is up and running.
Why a .gov.uk domain matters.
For many residents, the parish council is the first point of contact with local government.
Using a .gov.uk domain shows trust and legitimacy straight away. It tells people they are dealing with their official council rather than a personal account or a third-party website.
Visitors know they’re in the right place, and the Parish Council can be confident that its site is compliant with the latest accessibility and security standards.
A council email address ending in .gov.uk not only looks professional but also ensures all correspondence is secure and traceable. Each councillor and staff member can have their own mailbox, which enhances transparency and protects individuals from the risks associated with using personal email for public business.
What Parish Councils can expect
Any provider operating under the PCDHS has to deliver a clear set of services.
Parish Councils are guaranteed a secure domain, a compliant website, individual email addresses, and the support to use these services confidently.
They should also expect regular monitoring through the National Cyber Security Centre’s systems, ongoing updates to keep the domain protected, and a technical contact who can step in if something goes wrong.
The aim is not just to provide the tools, but to ensure that Parish Councils can depend on them day-to-day. This includes assistance with setting up devices, guidance written in plain English, and minimal disruption when transitioning from an existing supplier.
How HugoFo makes it easy
We understand how busy clerks and councillors are; you simply don’t have the time to deal with technical IT issues. You need a straightforward solution that works reliably and support from real humans.
This is exactly what we provide as a complete PCDHS service. We begin by registering your .gov.uk domain and setting up your email addresses.
Each councillor and staff member can have their own secure mailbox, giving your council a professional and consistent way of handling communication. We then create and host your Parish website on that domain, making sure it is mobile-friendly, easy to update, and fully compliant with accessibility regulations.
If you’re moving from another provider, we manage the migration for you. This includes liaising with your existing suppliers to ensure a smooth handover and minimise disruption.
Once your new services are live, we continue to monitor them, keeping a constant watch for potential issues and addressing them swiftly when they arise.
All of our support is designed for non-technical users. Our UK-based support team is on hand to explain everything you need to ensure you can feel confident in using all of our services without the worry of needing IT expertise.
Why are individual email addresses recommended?
One question we are often asked is whether every councillor really needs their own email address. The answer is yes, and the reason is simple: it keeps everyone protected.
When official council business is handled through dedicated addresses, there is no risk of personal accounts being misused. Residents also benefit because they can see immediately when they are communicating with a legitimate council representative.
It’s not just a matter of best practice; it’s a requirement under the PCDHS and part of the Government Digital Service’s standards for Parish Councils. By following this approach, councils gain greater transparency, improved record-keeping, and a better sense of accountability.
Meeting accessibility standards
Accessibility is not optional. Under the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations, Parish Council websites must meet the WCAG 2.2 AA standards. This ensures that every resident, regardless of ability, can access information and services online.
When you build a HugoFox website, accessibility is guaranteed as it’s built in from the ground up. Every feature, including text fields, forms and tables, is regularly updated as regulations change.
This means you can be confident that your website is always compliant without having to worry about getting a whole new website every time legislation changes.
Why Parish Councils choose HugoFox
Although Parish Councils can choose to split their services between multiple providers, many find it easier to keep everything under one roof. With HugoFox, you don’t need to coordinate between different companies, as we can take care of everything for you.
Your website, email, and domain security all work together seamlessly, backed by a UK-based team that understands Parish Councils and is always ready to help.
Our approach combines expertise with approachability. We take responsibility for compliance and security while presenting everything in straightforward terms.
Choosing HugoFox means you can be sure every requirement under the PCDHS is met, and that you’ll have a service that is user-friendly, dependable, and built around your community’s needs.
How to get started
If your Parish Council has not yet adopted a .gov.uk domain, now is the time to act. The Parish Council Domain Service provides a clear path to secure, compliant, and professional digital services.
With HugoFox as your provider, your journey is straightforward, and ongoing support is always available when you need it.
Building a trusted digital future
The Parish Council Domain Helper Service ensures that councils across the country have the digital foundations they need to serve their communities with confidence. It is about more than compliance; it is about trust, security, and professionalism.
By working with HugoFox, Parish Councils gain a partner who understands their challenges and simplifies the process.
We combine proven expertise with genuine care for communities, ensuring your .gov.uk domain, website, and email are not only compliant but also effortless to manage.
Secure your Parish Council’s digital future today and get a trusted online presence your community deserves.