16.03.20
Six councils to receive £1.2m boost to digital projects
Digital projects aimed at improving public services are set for a £1.2m boost thanks to Government funding for six councils across England.
The six councils will receive a share of £1.2m to allow innovation in areas such as public services improvement.
Up to £350,000 will be available for each council to accelerate existing projects aimed at helping local residents through digital technology.
Smarter ways to deliver public services will be the main focus of improvement such as housing repairs and the planning process.
The sharing of best practice will be carried out by the six councils who will lead the projects and then impart new knowledge to the rest of the country.
Local Government Minister Simon Clarke MP said:
“Digital technology has enormous potential to benefit society and improve our lives in countless ways and I am determined that councils harness its potential too.
“That is why I have announced £1.2 million for councils to continue their work on truly innovative projects to improve public services for people across the country.”
Councils receiving funding are:
- Southwark Council – £350,000 to develop better ways of recording and using information during the planning application process.
- Lambeth Council – £350,000 to design a system that can filter incomplete or invalid planning applications.
- The Royal Borough of Greenwich – £50,000 to develop a way for residents to report housing repairs online.
- Buckinghamshire County Council – 250,000 to produce an online directory of support services making them more accessible.
- Croydon Council – £100,000 to improve how computer code is shared between councils to boost public services.
- Barnsley Metropolitan Council – £100,000 to develop new digital system to manage council payments.
Council services are becoming futureproof thanks to funding packages such as these and the £2.5m already invested in local projects through the Local Digital Fund.