Winners of £250,000 digital grants announced
Reading BC has won a £125,000 award for its use of digital technology, in a scheme run by O2 in partnership with LGC.
A joint bid from Merthyr Tydfil CBC and Vale of Glamorgan Council won a second-place grant of £75,000 under the Future Fund scheme, and Luton BC won a third-place grant of £50,000.
The fund rewards councils with “forward-thinking” ICT teams that achieve digital innovations and improvements. LGC editor Emma Maier was a member of the judging panel for the grants.
Reading BC won the top prize for a project called ‘from handset to mindset,’ which aims to support people not in employment, education or training.
Merthyr Tydfil CBC and Vale of Glamorgan Council won funding for their bid to develop an ‘e-community’ project that aims to enhance their understanding of SMEs, to encourage local economic growth.
Luton BC received funding for its Access Luton project, which aims to redefine the council’s relationships with its customers.
The winners were chosen from 40 applicants. They will receive free O2 consultancy and access to technology and services to boost their local projects.
Neil Prior, Head of Local Government Futures Forum at O2, said: “Judging by the calibre of entries we received, what’s clear is that ICT teams can play a big role in helping local authorities create efficiencies but also and perhaps most importantly deliver true innovation in their business and local communities.”
LGC IS SUPPORTING THE FUTURE FUND FROM 02 AS MEDIA PARTNER. LGCplus.com/futurefund
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