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Digital East Riding

3.Digital Place

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    Background

    Our residents, visitors and businesses will enjoy faster broadband connectivity through initiatives including public Wi-Fi, the Internet of Things and other smart technology solutions that will help reduce energy consumption, lower emissions, improve public safety and help make the East Riding a more attractive place to be.

    The East Riding will have a thriving digital business sector, with start-ups, scale-ups and established businesses creating growth and prosperity. Digital solutions will help us to maximise our economic potential by developing the necessary infrastructure and skills base to drive sustainable productivity and jobs growth.

    Partner organisations will be able to work with the council and with each other more effectively, supported by digital collaboration tools and making use of shared data and digital platforms to enable a more joined-up, Smart County approach to delivering positive change in the East Riding.

    Digital skills for businesses

    Digital skills for businesses range from basic digital skills for employees who are not used to digital ways of working, to digital skills for the future for careers in artificial intelligence, robotics and other digital innovations.

    Invest East Yorkshire

    The Invest East Yorkshire website showcases the range of services, opportunities and support on offer from starting and growing your business to seeking to locate your business in the area.

    For further information about the support available for East Riding businesses, please visit the Invest East Yorkshire website.

    Smart County

    Digital technology underpins almost every aspect of modern living across work, travel, leisure and health.

    Our Smart County programme ran from 2022 to 2025 and explored the use of new digital technologies, data, connectivity and innovative solutions to develop our 'smart region'.

    Broadband connectivity

    The Broadband East Riding Programme strives to ensure access to the best possible broadband connectivity across the East Riding of Yorkshire area and support the Government’s target for 85% of the country’s premises to have access to gigabit services by 2025.

    Visit the Broadband East Riding website for more information.

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    Why we're doing it

    Digital skills in business are more important today than they have ever been. With consumer expectations accelerated, it is important for the digital ambitions of the East Riding that businesses can be supported to meet and exceed these expectations.

    If you are a business looking to find help with your IT and Digital needs take a look at the HEY Growth Hub website which has information on digital support for businesses including: cyber security, what the cloud is and how it can help your business, how to build a web site and how to use social media to promote your brand.

    HEY Growth Hub

    Why we're doing it

    East Riding of Yorkshire Council is working with the Humber Local Digital Skills Partnership to understand the digital skills training offer across the region.

    We are looking at what courses are available at all digital skill levels from beginners through to digital professionals, and at the same time, looking at what demand there is for these skills in the workplace.

    The aim is to raise the digital skill level in the Humber area by raising the ambition of employers, employees, residents and training providers to engage with digital skills.

    How we're doing it

    The partnership will:

    • Act as a signpost to relevant digital skills training via local providers.
    • Provide a digital skills maturity and capacity self-assessment diagnostic tool to identify digital skills support needs for individuals, local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro businesses.
    • Provide access to information and support via the Local Enterprise Partnership’s growth hub advisor team.
    • Publish digital adoption case studies from across the region, from a variety of local companies and organisations. Take a look at these case studies on the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership website.

    How we're doing it

    The council’s business investment services team delivers the services offered, including:

    • Business support including one-to-one confidential business advice, business information and networking events.
    • Free registration onto on the online Supply Chain Directory.
    • Access to interrogate the online Supply Chain Directory.
    • Regular business intelligence updates including local supply chain opportunities via e-news bulletins.
    • Business accommodation through a range of modern business centres offering a stimulating, friendly and professional business environment with office and workshop accommodation suitable for start-up, small and medium-sized businesses. 
    • Access to partner organisations and services such as AURA Innovation Centre linking academia to industry in order to develop new business concepts and products, re-model existing technologies or produce prototypes through 3D printing.
    • Inward investment project management from the initial planning phase.

    What we did

    'Smart County' delivered cutting-edge projects to enhance digital connectivity, and use data in innovative ways, through three key initiatives:

    Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Framework – we created a framework to support the rollout and improvement of wireless networks across the East Riding. This provides telecom operators clear guidance on deploying infrastructure in our region and considered access to our assets, while also signposting residents to information on mobile signal and support. The framework generated new revenue for the council by enabling smart metering gateways to be installed on streetlights.

    Internet of Things (IoT) and Data Platform – we deployed a LoRaWAN network in Bridlington and delivered five pilot IoT projects using sensors and data to test innovative solutions. Over 500 sensors were installed across diverse use cases, including power and environment monitoring, smart streetlighting, car parking, and visitor intelligence, generating valuable insights to inform future business cases and policy. The IoT pilot network is open to the public, businesses, and education providers to drive innovation, learning, and economic growth.

    Public Access Wi-Fi – in March 2023, we installed new Public Access Wi-Fi equipment at all Leisure Centres, Libraries, Ceremonies, Business Centres, Adult Learning venues, Bridlington Spa and Sewerby Hall, delivering more reliability, enhanced coverage and faster speeds for users. In January 2024, expanded the service into outdoor areas across 12 towns, including Bridlington South Beach and Esplanade, Withernsea Valley Gardens, and town marketplaces, providing outdoor high-speed connectivity for beach huts, cafés, retail shops, B&Bs, local traders, supporting tourism and major events. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund until December 2028 this service returns £2.43 in social and economic value for every £1 invested.

    For beginners

    Starting with ‘Computers for complete beginners’, this course provides a simple introduction to using a computer in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere. The course covers the essential basic skills required to use a computer, including:

    • how to turn a computer on and off correctly
    • how to use the keyboard and mouse
    • how to use some useful programmes
    • getting started with using the internet.

    For advanced learners

    If learners are looking for more advanced learning or a recognised ICT qualification that shows their ability to use a computer confidently and efficiently, a range of Essential Digital Skills courses are available.

    These ICT for Life and Work courses open up a variety of opportunities through the broad range of skills they provide and are widely recognised by employers as proof of ability and competence with working with ICT, specifically in Microsoft Office.

    Learners can choose from classroom-based learning which is provided in centres in Beverley, Bridlington, Cottingham or Goole. Alternatively, they can choose to learn from anywhere using online resources.

    What this means

    Our new operating model will help us to achieve the following programme outcomes:

    • Help people to live active and independent lives.
    • Make sure the right support is delivered at the right time.
    • Help to reduce the growing financial pressures across adult social care.
    • Enable us to manage future demand.

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