Decision details

To consider and approve the Digital Investment Plan, which will shape activity and priorities relating to the broader digital agenda.

The Committee considered a report on the Digital Investment Plan 2023-2025 which provided an update on the progress with digital connectivity in the Cheshire sub-region and sought approval of the Connecting Cheshire Digital Investment Plan.

RESOLVED (unanimously):  That the Committee

1      adopt the Digital Investment Plan as the guiding strategy and plan to shape future outward facing Digital Investments and outward Digital Support activities of the Authority, utilising the ring-fenced Digital Funds.

2    note the current misalignment between project delivery up to and beyond 2026 and the staffing which is currently in place until 2023.

3      delegated authority to the Executive Director Place to ensure that the staffing required to support delivery and implementation of the interventions currently being undertaken as outlined in the Digital Investment Plan.

4      approve the establishment of a £500,000 “Alt Tech” grant scheme to support the hardest to reach premises across the Cheshire sub-region and delegate to the Executive Director Place the authority to determine the terms on which it operates, noting that it may be delivered by a partner authority.

4      approve a £300,000 business support package to ensure that businesses across the Cheshire sub-region have the skills necessary to harness the benefits of digital growth.

5    approve a £120,000 package of measures to stimulate local demand led digital upgrades and provide for stakeholder engagement to ensure that local communities are supported as they strive to upgrade digital services

6      provide delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place to enable the above projects, initiatives, and activities that support the plan to be implemented Funds.