Transcript Beacon Council: ICT and Social Inclusion

Beacon Council Scheme
Set up the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) in 1999 as
part of the Modernising Local Government agenda.
Aims:
> To recognise the best councils by awarding beacon status so that others
can benefit from their experience
> To spread best practice and encourage innovation amongst all councils
through a nationally organised programme of learning activities
> Ministers select services or cross-cutting service areas which are
important to local people and in particular where the beacon scheme
can help to raise standards each year
1
Why did Cambridgeshire win?
•
In partnership with Huntingdonshire District Council and East
Cambridgeshire District Council we were recognised as displaying best
practice in the ‘Social Inclusion through ICT’ theme
•
There were three key areas of our bid:
Access
The Cambridgeshire Community Network (CCN) - the UK’s most ambitious
and inclusive Broadband community network.
Skills development
HeLP (Huntingdonshire Electronic Learning Points)
ECOL (East Cambs On-Line)
Network of Learning Centres in Cambridgeshire’s libraries
Relevant Online Content
Cambridgeshire Direct Contact Centre
Portal
Smart cards
One stop shops
2
What did the Ministers want to see?
•
A whole authority approach to the Social Inclusion through ICT agenda with a clearly
articulated ‘big picture’ and set milestones for achieving it
•
A clear strategy for improving access to ICT among less socially advantaged groups
developed following full consultation with key stakeholders and target groups
•
Working strategically with partners and customers to expand access to and take up of
local services online
•
Take up of local online services
•
Widening of e-learning opportunities
•
Advice and skills support available to target groups
•
How e-government facilities contribute to social inclusion
•
Sustainability and effective evaluation and monitoring processes
3
What the judges said ...
Ministers commended our project for
"... an imaginative and well thought out approach to tackling
the social inclusion agenda both within the rural and less
socially advantaged urban communities. It uses the partnership
to lever substantial additional resources, and links with the
private sector have ensured a good skills match to this agenda.”
4
What are we doing now?
• Programme of Learning Activities for other Councils
>
>
>
>
>
>
Open Days
Website
Newsletter
Presentations
Site visits
Action Learning Sets
• Raising our profile as a Beacon winner and thanking
our staff.
5