Mayor Steve Rotheram has announced the launch of a new municipal Innovation Team (i-team) to help solve pressing local challenges across the Liverpool City Region using data, technology, and resident-centred design.
The i-team, made up of three specialised staff, will work with city officials and civic partners to design and implement solutions that improve lives. The team will focus on data analysis, AI, digitisation, insight development, and rapid prototyping, supported by global experts and peer learning from other cities.
The initiative is part of the a programme that supports 18 European municipalities across eight countries, representing 25 million residents. The Liverpool City Region is the only UK participant in this cohort.
The i-team’s first priorities include:
- Reducing the 25% of households eligible for free energy efficiency upgrades who currently opt out
- Addressing transport emissions, with cars accounting for 76% of miles travelled and transport making up 30% of emissions
- Encouraging walking, cycling, and public transport use to support Net Zero goals
Mayor Rotheram commented:
“Innovation has been at the heart of our strategy from day one because it’s essential to the kind of economy we want to build – one that’s fairer, greener, and driven by the needs of our people. But it’s not enough to simply be involved in innovation – we have to lead it.
“That’s why we’ve set ourselves the bold ambition of investing 5% of our GVA in research and development by 2030. It’s a target that could unlock £20 billion of economic growth and create 44,000 high-quality jobs for local people.
“This support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, is another major milestone on that journey. The organization’s Government Innovation expertise, and the municipal i-team we will establish, will help us tackle some of the biggest barriers facing our region from accelerating the shift to green transport to improving the energy efficiency of our homes.
“I’m excited to welcome our new i-team and to get to work building a cleaner, more connected Liverpool City Region that works for everyone.”
The team will report directly to Kirsty Mclean, Executive Director for Public Sector Innovation, and provide regular updates to the Mayor to ensure rapid progress and measurable impact.
Image credit: iStock
