Redbridge Council Seeks Leader to Boost Digital Inclusion and Modernise Services

Key Points

• Redbridge Council is recruiting a new leader to drive the modernisation of council services and enhance digital inclusion across the borough.
• The initiative aims to address the needs of the digitally excluded population, estimated at 270,000 Londoners without internet or digital access, and a further two million with limited use.
• Redbridge has previously donated 1,000 laptops to support digital inclusion, partnering with the Good Things Foundation and the Get Online London scheme.
• Cllr Jas Athwal, Leader of Redbridge Council, emphasised the critical importance of digital access for education, employability, and social connection.
• Cllr Helen Coomb, Cabinet Member for Transformation & Digital, highlighted the necessity of digital skills for everyday life and called for government support for digital training.
• The council’s efforts are part of a broader London-wide initiative, working with charities, community centres, libraries, and other organisations to support vulnerable groups.
• The new leader will be tasked with ensuring that Redbridge’s digital transformation aligns with the needs of its diverse community and helps to close the digital divide.

Redbridge Council has announced its search for a new leader, with a central mandate to modernise local services and improve digital inclusion, signalling a renewed commitment to tackling digital inequality and enhancing access to technology for all residents.

Why is Redbridge Seeking a New Leader for Digital Modernisation?

As reported by Sam Trendall of PublicTechnology, Redbridge Council in north Outer London is actively seeking a leader whose primary remit will be to “help modernise services [and] improve digital inclusion” throughout the borough. This move comes at a time when digital access is increasingly recognised as fundamental to education, employment, and social participation.

According to PublicTechnology, the council’s recruitment drive is part of a broader strategic vision to ensure that public services are not only efficient and modern, but also accessible to every resident, regardless of their digital literacy or access to technology.

What is the Current State of Digital Exclusion in Redbridge and London?

As detailed by Redbridge Council’s official news release, an estimated 270,000 Londoners have no internet or digital access, with an additional two million having only limited use—such as lacking a personal device or needing assistance with online forms and banking. These figures underscore the scale of the challenge facing the new leader.

The council has already taken significant steps to address this gap. In June 2023, Redbridge donated 1,000 laptops as part of a pioneering scheme to help those without digital access, in partnership with the Good Things Foundation and the Get Online London initiative. This scheme, launched as part of the Mayor and London Councils’ Access for All campaign, has provided free digital skills training to over 10,000 Londoners and distributed nearly 2,000 laptops and mobiles, along with more than 25,000 SIM cards, to help digitally excluded individuals get online.

How Has Redbridge Addressed Digital Exclusion So Far?

As reported by Redbridge Council, the 1,000 donated laptops were devices no longer in council circulation. They were wiped, checked, and refurbished before being distributed to those in need via Get Online London’s network of 326 member organisations across 32 boroughs. These organisations include charities, community centres, libraries, housing associations, and food banks, all working to support vulnerable groups such as people in poverty, the unemployed, older adults, and those with disabilities.

Cllr Helen Coomb, Cabinet Member for Transformation & Digital, stated in Redbridge Council’s release:

“We’re delighted to provide these laptops to this fantastic scheme and be recognised as a significant donor. It is vital that digitally excluded Londoners get the proper training and technology. Nearly everything you do these days requires access to the internet. Whether paying your bills and rent, applying for a job, booking a health appointment, or finding out about local schools, a basic knowledge of digital technology is crucial. This scheme is an enormous help to digitally excluded people and will help them learn, develop and improve their lives.”

What Are the Objectives for the Incoming Leader?

According to Sam Trendall of PublicTechnology, the incoming leader will be expected to:

• Modernise council services by leveraging digital solutions that make public services more efficient and accessible.
• Drive digital inclusion by ensuring that all residents, particularly the most vulnerable, have access to the technology and skills needed to participate fully in society.
• Work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, including local charities, community groups, and digital inclusion initiatives, to maximise the impact of council efforts.

Cllr Jas Athwal, Leader of Redbridge Council, emphasised the broader social impact of these efforts, stating in the council’s official release:

“Access to technology is more critical now than ever before to develop IT skills for education and employability and to connect with the world around us. This donation of 1,000 laptops will help transform lives, empowering people who have been digitally excluded to access the technology so many of us take for granted. It is vital that to supplement the efforts of local authorities, the government provide funding for digital training to help level up the playing field and address digital inequalities. This support would help some of London’s most vulnerable people fulfil their potential.”

How Will the Council Ensure Long-Term Digital Inclusion?

Redbridge’s approach is not limited to device distribution. The council is also focused on providing digital skills training and supporting ongoing access to affordable internet connectivity. The Get Online London scheme, which Redbridge supports, offers free membership to charities and community groups, encouraging wider participation and ensuring that support reaches those most in need.

The council’s leadership has called for additional government funding to bolster digital training efforts and help “level up the playing field” for digitally excluded Londoners.

What is the Broader Impact on London’s Digital Access Agenda?

Redbridge’s actions are part of a city-wide effort to tackle digital exclusion, with the Mayor and London Councils working alongside the Good Things Foundation and other partners to transform digital access in the capital. The Get Online London initiative has become a cornerstone of these efforts, providing a model for other boroughs to follow.

The council’s ongoing commitment to digital inclusion is expected to play a key role in shaping the future of public services in Redbridge and beyond, ensuring that no resident is left behind in an increasingly digital world.