Essex County Council (ECC) is driving forward plans for Essex to become a digital-first county, with a four-year strategy to boost digital connections and tackle digital exclusion.
A new Digital Strategy for Essex aiming to boost digital connectivity and tackle digital exclusion across the county has been launched by Essex County Council (ECC).
The strategy, which includes opportunities to develop digital skills and identifies ways to drive adoption of digital technology, was outlined today (Friday 10th June) at the launch of the County Council’s Levelling Up programme for rural Braintree at Sible Hedingham Village Hall.
Rural Braintree has been identified as one of the six priority areas in ECC’s Levelling Up White Paper with the area at risk of being left behind in the digital revolution due to a lack of connectivity.
The County Council is actively working on a local grant scheme using Government funding and ECC reinvestment, which would bring gigabit-capable broadband to the area and could help to address inequalities, including employment prospects and poor mental and physical health.
The new Digital Strategy for Essex sets out clear goals that by the end of 2025, Essex County Council wants to see:
Cllr Lesley Wagland OBE, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning said: “Providing Essex residents and businesses with access to excellent digital connectivity is at the top of my list of priorities and a key foundation for Levelling Up Essex.
“The Digital Strategy will build upon driving not only infrastructure rollouts for gigabit-capable broadband and mobile connectivity but will also focus on providing opportunities and access to digital technologies. We want to make sure no one is left behind when it comes to the digital revolution.”
Read the Digital Strategy in full at www.superfastessex.org/digital-strategy-2022
Read Everyone’s Essex – Our Plan for Levelling Up the County at www.essex.gov.uk/everyones-essex-our-plan-for-essex-2021-2025