Councils awarded £800k to build on “rapid digital innovation of recent months"

Councils around the country have been given a share of a six-figure funding pot in order to boost their digital capabilities.

The government has awarded councils across the country a share of £800k as part of the Local Digital Fund initiative.

Examples include £67.5k for Newcastle City Council to develop overcrowding prediction technology, Camden Council’s award of £80k to develop and streamline online feedback channels for planning projects and town centre changes, and £79.5k for Leeds City Council to develop digital technology guides for socially isolated and vulnerable people.

Local Government Minister Simon Clarke MP explained: “Councils have made huge efforts to support their residents at this testing time - by housing rough sleepers quickly, supporting vulnerable people and ensuring services such as bin collections continue.

“They have had to adapt their services from in-person to online, using technology to do so and I am determined we capitalise on this and use everything we have learned to improve efficiency and make services better for residents and communities.

“That’s why we’re giving them £800k to build on the rapid digital innovation of recent months so that local communities continue to feel the benefits of more efficient public services.”