Welcome to Government Connect
Government Connect pledges £2.25m local authority support package
click here to read the press release
Government Connect are pleased to announce that a £1.5m benefits realisation fund has been created to be managed by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA). Local authorities are invited to apply for grant funding in relation to Government Connect benefits realisation projects.
The fund is intended to encourage the beneficial implementation of Government Connect across the local authority sector and the sharing of learning and experience. We aim to encourage innovation and creativity in relation to the introduction of the secure data sharing capability provided by GCSx and to help accelerate the realisation of the associated benefits. It is planned that this fund will provide for sixty £25k award packages. Awards will be made to authorities demonstrably committed to establishing and sharing new best business practice based on the availability of Government Connect.
The scope of qualifying projects is virtually unlimited and includes both technical and business process projects. Examples of qualifying technical projects might include converting to GCSx e-mail accounts, implementing secure mobile solutions or making cash savings by decommissioning infrastructure made redundant by channeling services through GCSx. Qualifying business process projects might include reforming council services such as; Youth Offending Teams, Trading Standards, Registrar services, Parking and Benefits.
We hope to receive applications covering a broad range of business benefits. Applications from authorities working in partnerships, clearly committed to promulgating best practice and enabling re-use will be most welcome. The initial closing date for applications is 14 January 2009 and we will be running road shows and available to help local authorities make proposals in the intervening period.
The announcement coincides with news that all councils across England and Wales have committed to taking a Government Connect connection. Philip Littleavon, Government Connect Programme Director, says, “The programme has achieved a huge milestone. All Councils have now signed up to connect to the system which means we can now concentrate our efforts on implementation and benefits realisation. Securing council connection on competitive terms has generated the savings to enable this previously unplanned investment. I am certain this money will help local government improve its information security capability and to improve public services to citizens.”
For further details and conditions please click here
Read more about the Government Connect Exemption Process.
©2008 Government Connect |