Agenda item

To receive a report from the Director of City Development and the Chief Information Officer presenting information as part of the Board’s Inquiry into Digital Inclusion.

The Director of City Development and the Chief Information officer submitted a report which provided the Scrutiny Board with the information required to undertake the third session of the inquiry into digital inclusion.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Tinder Foundation, Biography of Helen Milner CEO

-  Tinder Foundation, Digital Nation 2015, Digital Divide infographic

-  Tinder Foundation, Doing Digital Inclusion, Libraries Handbook mHabitat overview

-  The Universal Offer, SCL Leading and Managing Public Libraries.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:

-  Councillor Debra Coupar, Executive Board Member (Communities)

-  Dylan Roberts, Chief Information Officer

-  Richard Hart, Deputy Head of Service, Leeds Library and Information

-  Jason Tutin, Digital and Learning Development Manager

-  Victoria Betton, mHabitat

-  Helen Milner, Tinder Foundation

-  Jane Robinson, Crossgates Good Neighbours

-  Barbara Hiscott, Volunteer Crossgates Good Neighbours

-  Nick Hart, Community Hub Manager

-  Sarah Buncall, Development Manager, Customer Access.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The vision and work of the Tinder Foundation, the 5 basic digital skills that will benefit people, the digital skills gap and the myths about digital inclusion.

·  The pilot projects of the Crossgates Good Neighbours Scheme working with volunteers to get online and use the internet and YECCO healthcare app. The evaluation of the pilots and the need to evolve an integrated, joined up approach with GP’s and surgeries.

·  The focus and purpose of mHabitat to support digital innovation. The delivery of free Wi-Fi and projects for digital engagement in clinical settings.

·  The work of the National Information Board, personalised health care 2020 and the barriers to digital inclusion within the NHS and the focus to resolving this.

·  The need for devolved funding to develop initiatives which meet the needs of communities.

·  The development of a digital practitioner programme which aims to develop the digital skills of health service practitioners and neighbourhood networks and rolled out to the workforce in the wider city.

·  The potential for The Halifax to support or provide digital skills programmes in Leeds.

·  ‘Learn my way’ and the provision of basic digital skills training in localities to facilitate online job searching and application.

·  The importance of a clear strategic vision and drive which identifies gaps in support across the city, learning from people ‘on the ground’, co-design of resolutions and speedy implementation. The need to support grassroots organisations that can provide the support in localities.

·  The need to be aware of internet and hardware deals negotiated by Tinder Foundation which may benefit those in financial hardship.

·  The need to ensure the Council website is not a barrier to inclusion.

·  The need to assess funding and resource requirements to support the City’s aspiration for digital inclusion.

·  The need to consider what would motivate individuals to access digital services and how the skills to access those services can be supported by organisations in the City.

RESOLVED – That the Board notes the evidence considered as part of the inquiry.

(R Grahame left the meeting at 11.00am during this item.)