Issue - meetings

Presentation by the Executive Director - People

The Committee received a presentation from Andrea Watts, Executive Director of People, that updated on the Liverpool City Region Digital Inclusion Strategy (the Strategy). Ms. Watts indicated that further to the presentation made to this Committee in January23, which set out the initial first steps in bringing to life the framework for LCRCA Digital Inclusion Strategy and which included an overview of Sefton’s Digital strategy linked to connected Council, empowered residents and business growth; this presentation would detail the progress of Digital Inclusion from a Combined Authority perspective. Ms. Watts highlighted the following matters:

·       A reminder of the key components of connectivity – barriers being availability and cost; equipment; and skills

·       The developed key workstreams of Digital Inclusion Alliance Network; Digital Champions Model; and Digital Support Intervention Pilots

·       In respect of the Digital Support Intervention Pilots the Digital inclusion Initiative was an industry led programme to tackle digital exclusion; and LCRCA were facilitating the roll-out of 4500 free android tablets, accompanied by 6 months of free Vodaphone mobile connectivity and free in person digital skills training. Wave 1.1 was launched in August 2023 and focused on the DWP Restart Scheme and Ways to Work; and that working with the Digital Inclusion Network members the aim was to continue to support residents between now and July 2024

·       Wave 1.2 would take place between November 2023 and January 2024 and would target the roll-out of 600+ devices and sims across the six LCRCA local authority areas and cohorts could include digitally excluded individuals across numerous groups

·       Wave 1.3 onwards was to distribute the remaining 3900 devices and feedback would be crucial to assess what was working well with the programme and what was not

·       In addition, informed by data and local authority colleagues, other areas of intervention would be explored that helped to target digital exclusion –e.g., social broadband tariffs, recycled digital kit or free mobile data for those most in need

·       Other Sefton initiatives to increase the number of public access computers and other devices available to residents and organisations   

Members of the Committee asked questions/commented on the following matters:

·       The age range of participants in the Digital Inclusion Initiative

·       The availability of statistics on the number of Sefton residents who did not have internet access

·       Did, and how, was contact maintained with cohorts

·       The extent of take-up of social broadband tariffs

RESOLVED: That

Presentation by the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services

The Committee received a presentation from Paul Reilly, Service Manager - Finance, on the Asset Management Strategy/Disposal Policy. Mr. Reillyupdated on: 

• the Council’s Asset Base - a robust strategic approach was required to ensure assets were maximised and informed decisions could be made and that this was achieved via a centralised approach; and that there was a need to critically evaluate the use, value and benefit that could be derived from council assets.
• the relevant policies such as the Asset Management Strategy and the Asset Disposal Policy; and that an annual review for above documents would conducted with the next formal review being 6 January 2024; that the policies aligned with the Framework for Change and new capital strategy; and that the documents went through the Council’s formal governance process including Cabinet and Council.
• elected Member engagement in the decision-making process and the legislation that provided the framework within which the council operated within.
• Phase 1 asset disposals approved by Cabinet in January 2020; and that further phases were being considered and would progress as a continuous programme subject to necessary approvals.

A Member of the Committee acknowledged that assets were technically classed as such on the Council’s Balance Sheet and information was sought on how the Council distinguished between assets and liabilities since some assets required ongoing investment.

RESOLVED:

That Paul Reilly be thanked for his informative presentation.