Agenda item

The Chair invited Esther Barrott, Policy Adviser, to introduce the report.

Esther introduced the report which provided an overview of recent policy and public affairs activity relating to digital connectivity and proposed a new work programme focused on addressing digital exclusion for the Board to consider, including a session on ‘digital levelling up’ at the LGA’s annual conference. Cllr Mark Hawthorne MBE, Digital Champion for the LGA, had seen the report and was engaged in regular conversations with policy officers.

Board Members made a number of comments and asked questions which related to the following points:

• The need to continue to focus on data poverty.
• The importance of upskilling and the use of technology to ensure that all people had equal access to good data connection.
• The role of local government re digital inclusion.
• Cyber security and the checks that could be put into place to protect people digitally.

Decision:

• Board Members noted the report.