Skip to the content

News shots …. 10 August 2017

10/08/17

Share

Waste survey shows preference for phone over websites

More people continue to prefer a phone call to a council website for reporting a missed waste or recycling collection, according to the results of a recent survey by infrastructure software provider Yotta.

It found that of 1,000 questioned, 41% said they would rather use a fixed line phone, while 28% opted for the website through a laptop or PC and just 1% for a mobile app.

“These figures should give councils cause for concern,” said Steve White, software business development manager at Yotta. “Environmental services including waste collections are among the biggest areas of interaction between the public and local councils. Councils should therefore be encouraging people to move to digital modes of engagement, wherever possible. “

 

Welsh trust tests digital assistants

Innovate Trust has received a £15,000 grant from innovation charity Nesta to explore the use of intelligent personal assistants, such as Amazon Echo and Google Home, in supporting people with learning disabilities.

The trust works with Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Vale of Glamorgan Councils in providing a supported living service for 275 people with learning disabilities. The project will look at the potential for using the digital assistants to reduce the need for staff to be constantly present in their homes.

The money comes from the Innovate to Save Fund, a collaboration between Nesta, Y Lab and Cardiff University.

 

Newcastle rolls out fibre broadband for social housing

Newcastle City Council has made full fibre broadband with speeds up to 1Gbps available across 25 of its social housing developments. Under a deal with broadband provider Hyperoptic, connections are now available for 1,180 homes and the number will be increased to almost 5,000.

Councillor Jane Streather, cabinet member for housing and public health, said: “Good quality, high speed broadband can be the key to success when it comes to education, employment and social inclusion. As more and more services go online we recognise that providing ultrafast, reliable and affordable broadband is an essential part of our drive to increase digital inclusion.”

 

Image from Yotta

Register For Alerts

Keep informed - Get the latest news about the use of technology, digital & data for the public good in your inbox from UKAuthority.