Issue - meetings

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources (S151 Officer). To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance & Corporate Services

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST RELATING TO THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved the Digital Inclusion Policy for Haringey and the proposed Enhanced Offer detailed in the Digital Inclusion Roadmap (Appendix?1), which would support all residents in accessing council services digitally by choice and ensure that no individual was excluded as services moved to digital channels.

Reasons for decision:

A commitment to long?term, sustainable digital inclusion initiatives was fundamental to achieving the Borough Vision for Haringey, reducing inequalities, and supporting thriving communities to improve financial, health, and social outcomes. The Council could not provide essential services or build an inclusive and fair borough unless it ensured that all residents had access to suitable digital devices, connectivity, and the digital support they needed.

When residents were digitally included, there were significant associated benefits, including improved economic circumstances, better prospects for education and employment opportunities, and increased access to housing support and welfare services. The Digital Inclusion Roadmap would achieve lasting, positive impact within communities and provide more equitable access to services for all residents.

Digital transformation of the Council’s service offer was a key driver of efficiency savings, and digital inclusion was a core component of the wider digital strategy for Haringey. The Council could not successfully achieve the shift to a self?service?by?preference delivery model unless residents were able to access services through digital channels.

Demand for digital inclusion services, skills training, donated devices, and other support for residents who were digitally excluded would increase exponentially as the range of services that could be completed entirely online grew.

While positive digital inclusion work had already been undertaken in Haringey, it had been limited by a lack of coordination, leading to missed opportunities or duplication of effort. Implementing the Digital Inclusion Policy and Roadmap would enable the Council to support a coherent offer for residents, build and expand partnerships with community groups and businesses, and ensure existing projects were not replicated.

Alternative options considered:

Three scalable offers had been developed to determine the ambition for Haringey’s Digital Inclusion Roadmap: the Core Offer, the Enhanced Offer, and the Complete Offer (see Appendix?1). The recommendation was to implement the Enhanced Offer.

Core Offer (Not Recommended)
The Core Offer represented the service that could be provided within existing financial resources. It covered the work already underway to assess digital support needs in the borough, including:

• expanding the National Device Bank and National Databank offer;
• establishing a digital inclusion network with councillors, services, the NHS, VCS, and other interested parties;
• seeking external funding through social value commitments in relevant council contracts, government grants, charitable foundations, and corporate sponsors to fund long?term sustainable initiatives.

The Council’s existing digital inclusion function would have continued to deliver the Core Offer.

Enhanced Offer (Recommended)
The Enhanced Offer included everything in the Core Offer, along with a strengthened programme of digital inclusion services that would deliver sustainable long?term benefits for residents. It included:

• providing digital inclusion support directly in the community through recruitment,  ...  view the full decision text for item 431

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services introduced the report. The rationale was outlined.

It was explained that access to digital services, shopping and online interaction had become an essential part of daily life, comparable to other core utilities.

Digital exclusion was defined as not having access to a suitable device, internet connectivity, or the skills required to use online services with confidence, such as completing online forms. In Haringey, over 30% of residents were assessed as digitally excluded. This included households sharing a single mobile phone with limited data, including for children’s schoolwork; adults who used email but lacked confidence with other online activities; and adults who had never used the internet.

As a result, these residents experienced disadvantages, including reduced access to healthcare, limited ability to compare prices or access services, and longer or more complex interactions with the council.

The Cabinet Member explained that the policy was developed following sustained engagement with communities and partner organisations. It marked the beginning of a programme to support residents and businesses to access devices, secure internet connectivity and develop digital skills. Partner organisations also recognised the benefits of supporting digital inclusion, including more efficient service delivery. The Council acknowledged that online engagement would not be appropriate or feasible in all cases and that alternative methods of contact would continue to be required.

Following questions from Councillors Ovat, Brabazon, Cawley-Harrison, the following information was shared:

• It was explained that had been significant work undertaken with partners, the community and officers regarding digital inclusion. It was stressed that engagement work was significant.
  
  
• It was noted that the Council would work to improve digital skills for those who did not have them, and that work would be undertaken with already existing organisations to help provide training.
  
  
• It was stressed by officers that the Council would ensure that all data held about residents was compliant with General Data Protection Regulations and that it had the maximum cyber security possible. It was also stressed that the Council would provide advice to residents regarding cybersecurity.
  
  
• It was explained that the development of information supporting residents with improving and accessing broadband services was being undertaken by officers.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved the Digital Inclusion Policy for Haringey and the proposed Enhanced Offer detailed in the Digital Inclusion Roadmap (Appendix?1), which would support all residents in accessing council services digitally by choice and ensure that no individual was excluded as services moved to digital channels.

Reasons for decision:

A commitment to long?term, sustainable digital inclusion initiatives was fundamental to achieving the Borough Vision for Haringey, reducing inequalities, and supporting thriving communities to improve financial, health, and social outcomes. The Council could not provide essential services or build an inclusive and fair borough unless it ensured that all residents had access to suitable digital devices, connectivity, and the digital support they needed.

When residents were digitally included, there were significant associated benefits, including improved economic circumstances, better prospects for education and employment opportunities, and increased  ...  view the full minutes text for item 431