What is the policy trying to achieve?

We want to be a leading digital authority and the Digital Connectivity Framework Agreement is designed to provide a world-class gigabit-capable digital infrastructure.

In September 2019 the Transformation and Digitisation Committee approved the outline business case (OBC) for investment in a world-class network infrastructure.

The OBC identified that by providing connectivity across North Lanarkshire, we would be creating capacity to drive forward economic growth, develop highly skilled workforces and tackle digital exclusion, whether this occurs through rurality or low income. Specifically, the Digital Infrastructure Framework Agreement will:

• Enhance the coverage and reach of gigabit-capable networks to businesses, private and council-owned social housing and residential households that are unserved by existing networks;
• Increase the take-up and number of gigabit broadband end-user connections among businesses, private and council-owned social housing and residential households that are served by existing networks;
• Create a market that provides business and residential users with increased choice and innovation through competition; and
• Future proofs North Lanarkshire’s digital infrastructure to the extent that it is capable of hosting and delivering 5G capability, Internet of Things (IoT) and future technology developments, innovation and investment that will lead to smart and sustainable outcomes.  

What does this policy suggest about the impact or potential impact on socio-economic disadvantage?

Low Income

The ‘take-up’ and ‘choice’ strands of the Digital Infrastructure Framework Agreement will potentially impact on low income by increasing the availability and competitive pricing of broadband, making it more affordable and accessible to households living on a low income. Potential access to free public Wi-Fi.

Enhancing individuals’ digital skills will improve their employability and career prospects with the potential to address low income by enabling individuals to secure well-paid and sustainable employment and career progression in the technology sector.

Low Wealth 

Enhancing individuals’ employability potential and career progression in the technology sector will support them in securing higher value, sustainable employment where there is also more likelihood of them being able to access employee backed pension schemes and also wider financial services  - e.g. employee sacrifice schemes to support childcare costs or spread the cost of large household items (car or IT equipment).

Similarly, individuals in permanent, well-paid employment are able to access a wider range of banking services and products such as personal loans at lower interest rates.

Material Deprivation

The Digital Infrastructure Framework Agreement has the potential to make a positive impact on access to affordable broadband where this is currently unavailable due to cost or limited coverage by providers because they do not consider an area to be economically viable (economic viability affects rural, remote areas, but also areas experiencing high levels of deprivation where there may be little take-up).

Access to affordable broadband has the potential to impact positively on all households, especially families and households with children or young people where connectivity solutions support education and provide access to learning resources and information available via the worldwide web. Connectivity solutions support online learning and training, making it easier for individuals to study remotely or work efficiently and productively from home.

Older people can also benefit from access to affordable broadband through increased accessibility to online services and support (such as telecare or support for independent living) and also, importantly, the ability to connect with families and friends who may live some distance away, plus access to online leisure activities (e-books and e-jigsaws).

Area Deprivation

The Digital Infrastructure Framework Agreement has the potential to make a positive impact on area deprivation by providing affordable, high-speed broadband in remote communities or areas experiencing high levels of low income and poverty.

Access to affordable broadband in these areas will improve access to online services, increase choice and enable people living in these areas to participate more easily in public life without the requirement and associated expense of travelling into the larger towns or centres.

What will the impact be on groups and individuals?

Children and young people will have improved broadband affordability and access to online education and training.

Need to ensure that older people are able to take advantage of the benefits of increased online service delivery and supports. Older women are particularly less likely to be on-line and are more likely to be experiencing poverty

Need for effective engagement and communication to ensure disabled people and people with l/t health conditions are not further excluded and can benefit from smart solutions and telecare supports.

Need to ensure that women are able to maximise potential training and employment opportunities in new technology sector along with wider benefits of increased online service delivery and supports.

Need to ensure that Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic people can maximise wider benefits of increased online service delivery and supports.

There is the potential for children and families to benefit through improved broadband affordability and access to online education and training resources.

Free public WiFi and improved access to affordable superfast broadband,  the availability of access to online support and information services will benefit a number of different groups and individuals including people experiencing poverty and carers.

What actions are planned to mitigate any adverse impact or promote equality?

 Existing sources of support for older people in using new technology are already available through Digital North Lanarkshire; community and 3rd sector organisations; and Community Learning and Development. Targeted and project-specific engagement will take place with older people when service reconfiguration or new smart solutions are being introduced through the Digital Infrastructure Framework Agreement.

Targeted and project-specific engagement will take place with disabled people, those with l/t health conditions and their carers when service reconfiguration or new smart solutions are being introduced through the Digital Infrastructure Framework Agreement.

Increase opportunities available through public spaces for women to access the latest technology – libraries, community hubs, etc.

• Ensure effective and timely engagement and consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure that the successful bidder fully commits and delivers the Added Value and Community Benefit outcomes which are a contractual requirement.
• Ensure that future service redesign; the introduction of smart/IoT solutions and call-off contracts are informed by the needs of service users

What is the recommendation of the assessment?

Introduce the policy in January 2022