Seven councils are set to receive funding from the Local Government Association (LGA) as part of a programme to help boost digital connectivity.

The LGA’s Digital Connectivity Programme provides funding to help councils better meet the needs of their residents, improve productivity, support local businesses and local places.

The seven councils who will receive funds from the programme are Westminster City Council; Essex County Council; Durham County Council; South Hams District Council; Warwickshire County Council; Northamptonshire County Council; The Royal Borough of Greenwich.

The projects being delivered by the successful councils focus on developing sustainable rural connectivity mapping, toolkits for tackling urban not-spots, and initiatives for targeted take up of local connectivity offers.

‘Councils are improving the lives of their residents to help them realise the benefits and embrace 21st Century opportunities through increased digital connectivity,’ said Cllr Peter Fleming, chairman of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board.

‘The cohort of councils included in this programme will look to provide residents with further availability to 24/7 online access.

‘As part of the LGA’s wider sector-led improvement offer, the Digital Connectivity Programme is helping councils to reach out and provide vital services for residents who don’t have availability or access to use digital platforms.

‘Despite facing significant funding pressures over the Coronavirus pandemic, councils have shown willingness to innovate and improve the opportunities of their residents and businesses.

‘The Connectivity Programme will allow councils to build capacity locally and scale the outcomes of the projects funded nationally for other councils to benefit.’