Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and Chief Digital and Information Officer which sets out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the scrutiny inquiry ‘Powering up the Leeds Economy through Digital Inclusion.’

The report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and Chief Digital and Information Officer, set out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the scrutiny inquiry Powering up the Leeds Economy through Digital Inclusion.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Jason Tutin - Digital & Learning Development Manager

-  Andrew Byrom – Head of Operational Services

-  Adam Micklethwaite from the Good Things Foundation

The Digital & Learning Development Manager introduced the report, summarising the services progress in terms of the agreed recommendations and asked that Members agree an additional recommendation as set out in the report at 6.1.

The report set out for Members the status of the recommendations that Members had previously considered at the Board meeting in January 2018.

The status of recommendations were agreed as follows:

·  Recommendation 1 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 2 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 4 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 6 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 7 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 8 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 9 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 10 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 11 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 12 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 13 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

The Board discussed the following points:

·  That Leeds is a leading authority on digital inclusion and is considered a model of good practice with peers.

·  The support for carers and their involvement with the programme. Officers provided assurance that although the carer will need to commit time initially, there will be benefits to carer in their work.

·  Problems and support options for claimants accessing universal credit and housing applications digitally.

·  The support being offered to third sector organisations, to progress digital inclusion across the City and broaden skills, particularly with those who are harder to reach.

·  Confirmation that Wards not listed in the priority neighbourhoods would still receive reactive support and would not miss out on digital benefits; Members noted that if support was required then digital inclusion team would assist.

·  The funding options and training opportunities available to enable the provision of technology and connectivity in community centres, libraries, schools and council buildings.

·  Clarity was sought regarding the grants programme available to communities and advise was provided that:

o  the partnership with Smarter Leeds  identifies priority locations to expand free WI-FI into 20 community buildings;

o  The 100k budget is a separate provision which sets aside money for communities to equip community buildings, i.e. enabling them to bid for computers.

·  The opportunities available for people with disabilities; Officers informed the Board that work is underway with partners and stakeholders including investment of voice activation technology as part of the programme.

·  The provision of support and training for Council staff without the 5 basic digital skills.

·  The need to consider those who will never embrace digital solutions to ensure that they do not become disconnected from Council Services.

·  The Board stated their intention to consider return on investment in greater depth at the next review now that a greater number of schemes have been established

• The Board expressed concern that the council function that supports the co-ordination of the expanding Digital Inclusion movement in Leeds is wholly dependent on grant funding. Acknowledging the value of this small team, who are enabling the voluntary and independent sector of Leeds to deliver to their target groups, the Board consider that ongoing security and the sustainability of this function is essential. The Board has resolved to recommend that the Executive Board should give serious consideration to programming revenue funding, currently approx. £189,000 for the Digital Inclusion Team, into the Council’s budget from 2020/21 onwards.

RESOLVED- The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth):

a)  Noted the contents of the report.

b)  Approved the status of the recommendations as set out above.

c)  Agreed to receive a further report in 2020 to review the evidence of impact and return on investment for the 100% Digital Leeds programme.

d)  Recommend that that the Executive Board should give serious consideration to programming revenue funding, currently approx.£189,000 for the Digital Inclusion Team, into the Council’s budget from 2020/21 onwards.