Regional Telematics Co-ordinator

Work Programme May-December 2000

Outputs Update October 2000

Purpose

1. To champion the West Midlands as a Digital Region

2. To maximise opportunities for attracting external funding for strategic regional ICT and Telematics developments

3. To develop telematics based partnership with other agencies and sectors

 

 

Issue

 

 

Action to date

Outputs anticipated by December 2000

A.

Strategic

     
 

1.

To inform the strategic deployment of ICT resources and to secure maximum investment for the West Midlands in support of economic regeneration.

Member of ICT vetting group for ERDF and ESF

Wrote ICT justification for SPD

Knowledge exchange project bid to AWM/GOWM

 

2.

To promote the infrastructure and developments of learning and support services in the region, in the context of the University for Industry, National Grid for Learning and New Library networks.

Established e-learning network.

Adviser/member of TLP/CGfL

Adviser to WM broadband

Network supporting regional e-learning projects

CGfL bid written

 

WM broadband linked to regional connectivity project allowing regional VPN

 

3.

To co-ordinate the effective provision of telematics-based information and other services to citizens in the region.

Member of WMLGA e-governance steering group

Initial survey work completed

 

4.

To develop strategic partnerships with key sectors such as SMEs.

Further and Higher Education, health, transport and the voluntary sector.

Co-wrote bid for e-business network FP5

Member of PEALS steering gp.

Member of Wolverhampton telematics forum

SME support network established (early 2001)

Joint health initiative launched in Walsall

 

5.

To inform the development of a regional ICT strategy.

Project manager for re-write of AWM strategy

New strategy launched.

 

6.

To stimulate and develop the application of telematics to community development and electronic democracy and the building of an Information Society in the region.

Member of PEALS and Aston project management teams

Member of Sandwell SRB6 steering group

Proposal to Cabinet Office

Writing FP5 bid for above

Joining teleregions FP5 bid

 

 

 

 

Funding secured from Cabinet Office

 

 

 

7.

To develop a strategy for promoting the West Midlands as a Digital Region

e-envoy office visit

Launched marketing strategy with AWM

e-envoy office programme to link with WMTG

"Connecting people to opportunities" brand established

         

B

Policy Implementation

   
 

8.

To support and advise the work of the Regional Telematics Group.

Support website established

Awareness events held

New work programme for WEMPIG

 

9.

To direct the work programme of the West Midlands Telematics Resource Unit.

Arranged support from the eXchange

Website developed by commercial supporter

Identify commercial sponsor for project

 

10.

To represent West Midlands local authorities on European Telecities and Digital Region groupings.

Member of smart government group and network

Trainer for the PACE project

Attended Telecities Vienna and Teleregions Venice

Smart government outputs being delivered in met authorities

PACE awareness for WMTG

 

Teleregion membership

West Midlands in one joint project with teleregion

 

12.

To represent West Midlands local authorities’ telematics interests and initiatives to the GOWM Regional Development Agency and Regional Chamber.

Advising AWM and WMLGA (regional chamber) circa 1 day per week

Interim report on regional models of e-governance

WMTG awareness of all funding opportunities and bidding processes through regional resources

 

13.

To act as a point of contact for national agencies and other organisations for regional telematics and ICT activities.

e-envoy office visited region

 

major telcos met to address connectivity

Programme of visits to region from major government agencies

Connectivity proposal,

perhaps sub-regional telco established

 

14.

To strengthen relations between West Midlands’s authorities and the Brussels Office, with a view to maximising funding opportunities from European structural and R & TD programmes.

Met Glynnis Whiting

Support to interface from Birmingham EU unit

FP5 proposal submitted for regional smartcard user evaluation

 

15.

To identify opportunities to secure government and private sector investment to enable an ICT-led regeneration strategy for the region.

See 13

 
 

16.

To manage the development of a regional website.

Initial website built and active

Website in place, all key development areas populated

 

17.

To manage specific projects on behalf of the Telematics Group.

Developing 3 key projects, SEALS

Aston Democracy Project (digbeth.com)

e-learning network

1 project active

 

18.

To secure funding for a post of Project Development Officer/Economic Regeneration.

Initial discussion in place with WMLGA

Project bid to Rover TF

Funding secured in principle