North Lincolnshire Council up for top award

North Lincolnshire Council has been nominated for a national award in recognition of its work to ensure Isle businesses have access to faster internet connections.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th May 2016, 07:40 BST
Councillor Liz Redfern.Councillor Liz Redfern.
Councillor Liz Redfern.

The authority is nominated in the Digital Council of the Year category of the Digital Leaders 100 2016 Awards and is now asking for members of the public to cast their vote.

The nomination is centred on the £7m Northern Lincolnshire Broadband project that started in 2012 to provide access to superfast broadband for 90 per cent of premises across Northern Lincolnshire by 2015, including some of the most hard to reach rural areas, including the Isle. More than 31,000 properties were reached in the first phase, including over 4,000 businesses.

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In addition, the project has provided nearly 3,000 hours of help to 475 businesses through a business support programme. The scheme of dedicated IT specialists and business advisers provided tailored support geared towards maximising the benefits of improved connectivity.

Judges were also impressed as the council has set a new target of providing coverage to 99 per cent of premises during the second phase, which is due for completion in March 2017. This will exceed the national target of 90 per cent.

Axholme Central councillor Liz Redfern, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Not only has the project reached its targets ahead of schedule; it has exceeded them. The Digital Leaders 100 Club is an exclusive club that we are proud to be part of.”

A public vote has now been launched and the results, combined with the views of a judging panel of digital experts, the winners will be announced after the public vote closes on May 27. Visit http://www.digileaders100.com/vote/