11.12.19
Wigan Council commits to a ‘smarter Wigan’
In July, Wigan Council launched ‘The Deal 2030’, a comprehensive report outlining their ambitious strategy for the next decade, after hearing the opinions of thousands of residents.
This week, the Council has announced (Mon 9) that a main priority from the ‘Big Listening’ exercise carried out with residents was making the borough ‘Confidently digital’.
The Council is committing to changing the way they operate and using digital to transform the borough, they have developed a strategy focusing on three key elements: Digital People, Digital Place, Digital Council.
The focus on Digital People is to equip and train people with digital skills for the future, specifically upskilling teachers and rolling out digital learning in schools to provide a shared vision of digital inclusion for all members of the community.
The Digital Place target is the most ‘challenging and ambitious’ according to the Council, with aspirations to become the first choice for digital business by connecting residents to emerging digital skills and attracting business to the area.
This will mean working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to push on with a procurement programme aiming to increase full fibre coverage across Greater Manchester, with better Wi-Fi connectivity, and by taking a keen interest in the progress of 5G.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) will also be explored for a healthier community, looking at online tools like walking points-based apps designed to get individuals out of the house, increasing footfall for local business and promoting a healthy population.
The Council is also committed to the benefits that can come from digitising the Council services, such as platforms with integrated accessibility to GPs and other services.
In a recent blog post, Chief Executive of Wigan Council, Alison McKenzie-Folan commented:
“We recognise the power digital has to improve the potential and growth of our borough and to transform the way we deliver services. We also know it has wider benefits, helping to address some of our biggest health issues.
“We’ve already embedded the digital agenda in everything we do and will continue to push the bar to ensure we get the best possible outcomes for our residents.”
- Earn up to 16 CPD points, participate in workshops, seminars and innovation hubs on public service delivery