Agenda item

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, LGA Digital Champion, introduced the report and invited David Mack-Smith of DMS Research & Consulting to provide an overview of recent policy and public affairs work relating to digital connectivity and inclusion as well as the role of local authorities in tackling digital exclusion.

Key points included:

• Barriers to digital inclusion include access, abilities to connect to the Internet and use online services in addition to other factors such as confidence and lack of trust.
• Rural areas have done relatively well in getting full fibre coverage so far, but lag in terms of gigabit coverage
• It was noted that local authorities have various responsibilities, relationships and assets which position them to play a key role in tackling digital exclusion, given their democratic mandate.
• It was recommended that there should be clarification of the ministerial and executive leadership on digital inclusion.

Members made the following comments:

• The Chair asked if there was knowledge of areas with little to no broadband rollout. Officers replied that the Ofcom Connected Nations Report contained the latest figures and the House of Commons Library provided an accessible map of the key statistics.
• Cllr Hawthorne said that there are effective examples of existing work in district councils and county councils and going forward there would be continued efforts to ensure central government recognises the need for funding for local government to support the broadband agenda.
• Members gave examples of broadband provision in their council areas, highlighting productivity and budgetary challenges.
• A Member queried paragraph 6 within the covering report, which concerns telecare, which he believed might be out of date and would like more information. Cllr Hawthorne replied that he believed adult social care as an industry is fully aware of this issue, but that there was already ongoing work to combat the challenges going forward.
• Attitudes to technology and the internet, especially among older residents, were discussed.
• A Member said he would like to see campaigning to ensure that that resilience is built into broadband strategies. He also asked if the social services were aware of the challenges regarding monitoring, the adult monitoring and PSTN.
• A Member reflected on the importance of inclusivity as well as economic growth, adding that councils need to recognise the gigabyte spine and where it reaches across authority borders.
• There should be greater promotion of the fact there are cheaper tariffs for people with lower incomes.
• There should be further work on digital inclusion and efforts to make sure there is an up-to-date policy in central government.

Decision:

• That Members noted the report;

• that there should be further work on digital inclusion and efforts to make sure there is an up-to-date policy in central government, reporting back to a future board meeting.

Action/s:

Noting comments from Members from the discussion with DMS Research & Consulting and Cllr Mark Hawthorne, officers will publish the commissioned work exploring the role of local authorities in tackling digital exclusion and create a more detailed plan to take the recommendations forward and land them with central government.