Cabinet go-ahead to close digital divide

 

13-MAY-09

Issued by: Jeanette Hedley

A commitment by North Tyneside Council to deliver universal access to digital technology to residents across the borough has taken a step forward.

The 'Connected Borough' project, a key part of the four-year Council Plan, aims to tackle the 'digital divide' that leaves 46 percent of the population of the borough without a PC and access to the Internet.

Those without 24-hour access to the web are denied important information and services - including easier access to education and employment.

To close the gap in this provision the council has been carrying out informal discussions with potential partner organisations to explore how the council could deliver its priorities.

On Monday (May 11) the council's Cabinet agreed to give the go-ahead to officers to spend up to £70,000 from existing ICT budgets to pursue more formal talks with potential suppliers and explore the options available in a pre-procurement soft market test.

Chief executive of North Tyneside Council, Andrew Kerr said: "This is a very exciting project that will enable us to close the gap in the digital divide that exists across the borough.

"Nearly half of North Tyneside residents are on the wrong side of the digital divide and as technology continues to advance the threat of this divide increasing is very real.

"There are direct links between digital disengagement and social exclusion. The socially excluded are three times as likely to be non-internet users. Doing nothing therefore would leave almost half of our residents with the potential to become socially, financially and technologically disadvantaged."

The aim is to find a partner - or partners- who have the technological, logistical and financials drive to take the project forward.

And members agreed that the target for the project is to deliver three priorities to every resident of the borough. These are:

- Connectivity to low cost digital services

- Confidence to use these services through the development of comprehensive awareness and training programmes

- Content via on-line websites for all public sector organisations in North Tyneside that is consistent, relevant and timely.

The benefits of the creation of a connected borough are recognised as including improved life chances for residents with ability to access employment and learning opportunities easily; the development of a more skilled workforce; job creation through development of small start-up companies in the technology sector; faster processing for everyday transactions including online banking and access to council services; and the bringing together of more diverse communities across North Tyneside.

Mr Kerr added: " The council cannot achieve this on its own. It needs to find a partner or partners who share the vision and have the technological, logistical and financial drive to really make a difference to the lives of residents in North Tyneside.

"Officers have been in informal discussions with a number of potential partner organisations that have expressed an interest in working with the council in delivering the project.

"Through these discussions several different potential delivery models have emerged. Cabinet approval will enable us to enter into more formal pre-procurement soft market testing discussions to identify potential options that deliver the best deal and value for money for residents of this borough."