Agenda item

This report and presentation at Annex A provides an update for committee members covering the following areas:

·        The digital connectivity landscape in York for both residents and businesses.

·        Development of a digital inclusion partnership led by Explore York and the council and its key priorities.

·        The current position with council online access to services and the related My Account facility originally envisaged as a portal for engaging with the council and its services.

Members considered a report and presentation that provided an update on:

·        The digital connectivity landscape in York for both residents and businesses.

·        Development of a digital inclusion partnership led by Explore York and the council and its key priorities.

·        The current position with council online access to services and the related My Account facility originally envisaged as a portal for engaging with the council and its services.

The Director of Customer & Communities and the Head of ICT were in attendance to provide an update and answer any questions.

During discussion on digital connectivity, the Head of ICT noted that:

·        Work was continuing with telecommunication providers to explore the opportunities and to action the improvement and expansion of York’s digital infrastructure and connectivity layers.

·        Over 60% of premises had the potential to be connected directly to a pure fibre based broadband service, which was around three times the current national average coverage position.

·        Access to the free child friendly public WiFi service within the city centre had been expanded and the coverage now included the Coppergate Centre and within the Community Stadium.

·        Access to full fibre services had been provided within key and historic parts of the city centre, including The Shambles and Stonegate.

·        Current activity included:

o    Infill areas and upgrading of the core network to enable and sustain future expansion, and further future proofing of some of the City’s essential connectivity landscape;

o   Using the government’s Rural Gigabit Connectivity Voucher Scheme to secure funding to provide access to ultrafast broadband services.

o   Early feasibility work was underway regarding the opportunity to use a similar approach that was taken to provide improved connectivity to The Shambles and Stonegate within other city centre areas.

In answer to questions raised, the Head of ICT confirmed:

·        The improvements to the CityFibre network should provide residents with more options when choosing a service provider to connect with.

·        CityFibre were redesigning their core network and would aim to fill suburb areas that weren’t particularly covered well before extending into other areas later next year.

·        The roadmap of the development would be published on the council’s website.

·        The fibre network cables were laid within verges or pavements and although the initial works could be disruptive, the infrastructure used should be future proof for advancement in technology.

·        CityFibre would be revisiting some private roads as part of the infill work.

The Director of Customer & Communities then provided an update on the development of the digital inclusion partnership, where Members noted that:

·        Explore York Libraries and Archives, in partnership with City of York Council were leading a collaborative partnership approach.

·        A digital Inclusion workshop facilitated by Citizen’s Online brought interested organisations, community groups, charities, businesses and individuals together to begin the conversation. There was a real shared ambition to ensure everyone had the opportunity to gain digital confidence.

·        Priorities raised from the workshop included:

o   The establishment of a formal partnership in York and to find the resource to support that partnership.

o   Agree and implement a triage and signposting system.

o   Access to more devices. 

o   Find funding to provide data and WiFi packages.

o   Create a network for existing digital champions and

o   Improve web accessibility.

Members noted the digital York workstreams that had been established and the progress on actions, as highlighted within the report and the Director confirmed that digital skills would also be added to the agenda.

In answer to questions raised, the Director confirmed:

·        The methods used to identify who required digital support was discussed regularly and tended to come from intelligence on the ground. Citizens Advice York had completed a study on inclusion and they identified that older people in the more rural areas of York had started to reduce their access to services.

·        The partnership would continue to:

o   work on understanding communities;

o   identify pockets of exclusion;

o   reach digitally excluded groups and

o   understand non-digital standards for those that could not access digital options.

The Director then highlighted the future and use of My Account, including the different aspects to digital development and access to online services in the council.

Following discussion around the My Account review options, Members agreed to digest and consider which elements they would like to consider through scrutiny and would welcome periodic reports on the digital inclusion partnership, its work and impact to assess whether excluded groups/deprived areas were being reached and that their needs were being met around connectivity, skills and social interaction.

Officers were thanked for their update.

Resolved:

(i)                    That the report be noted.

(ii)                 That Members consider which elements they would like to consider through scrutiny and then inform the Chair.

(iii)                That digital inclusion be included in the internal and external organisation development update.

(iv)                That an update be received at a future meeting.

Reason: To keep Members updated on the digital inclusion activities.