The Local Government Association (LGA) has announced funding for seven councils to help them to improve local and regional connectivity.
It said that those selected are: Westminster City Council; Essex County Council; Durham County Council; South Hams District Council; Warwickshire County Council; Northamptonshire County Council; and the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
It has not yet gone public with the details of the projects for each council, but said they focus on developing sustainable rural connectivity mapping, toolkits for tackling urban not-spots and initiatives for targeted take up of local connectivity offers.
The LGA indicated in October that each would receive £20,000 under its Digital Connectivity Programme.
24/7 access ambition
Councillor Peter Fleming, chair of its improvement and innovation board, said: “The cohort of councils included in this programme will look to provide residents with further availability to 24/7 online access.
“As part of the LGA’s wider sector led improvement offer, the Digital Connectivity Programme is helping councils to reach out and provide vital services for residents who don’t have availability or access to use digital platforms.
“Despite facing significant funding pressures over the coronavirus pandemic, councils have shown willingness to innovate and improve the opportunities of their residents and businesses. The Connectivity Programme will allow councils to build capacity locally and scale the outcomes of the projects funded nationally for other councils to benefit.”
Image from iStock, Alexey Brin
