www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Wiltshire and Swindon Smartplace Programme Closes
The Wiltshire & Swindon Smartplace Programme closes at the end of August 06, aims and objectives achieved. The last three years have seen exponential development in broadband and associated ICT, benefits of which have been maximised in businesses and communities across Wiltshire and Swindon through diverse Smartplace initiatives, while targets set to measure success have generally been exceeded.
It is hoped that access centres, which have come to play a dynamic role in local communities, will continue under different management structures, alongside other community capacity building schemes. The need in the business sector for continued assistance in identifying and implementing relevant IT technology was highlighted. Business Link Berkshire & Wiltshire, now known as Great Western Enterprise, intends to adopt a proactive approach as soon as further funding becomes available.
The final Board meeting on 27 July 2006 brought together representatives from the Smartplace Programme partnership organisations of Wiltshire County Council, Swindon Borough Council, the District Councils of Kennet, Salisbury and North Wiltshire, Trowbridge Town Council, Business Link Berkshire & Wiltshire, the Learning and Skills Council, BT, Westlea Housing Association, and the South West of England Regional Development Agency. They agreed that full-time, effective management had been an essential factor in the success of the complex programme and its projects.
The Programme Manager, Phil Knowling, noted that documentation and processes provided useful reference throughout the Programme and the record keeping and reporting, which were highly commended by funders, helped in day to day management and enabled Board Members to make informed decisions.
Phil Knowling suggested that in all projects and programmes it is important that direction from the Board is unambiguous and that papers providing useful reference are produced and made available in good time.
Headline achievements:
- 99.8% of residential and business premises have access to broadband, representing an investment by BT of £11.5million in exchange upgrades.
- It was a notable achievement to have persuaded BT to enable the exchanges in Oxenwood and Wylye; residents’ response reflected their appreciation.
- 37% of premises now have a broadband account and take-up is some 5% higher than in other areas in the region.
- Over £100,000 of grants have been awarded to SMEs leveraging over £¼ million in ICT investment.
- £¼ million of ePods have been deployed to SMEs for employee training.
- 6,500 courses have been delivered, representing an investment of around £¾ million in skills development in Wiltshire and Swindon.
- 45,000 visits have been made to the 32 Smartplace access centres, representing an investment of £½ million in these communities.
These not insignificant achievements were delivered within budget and the objectives of the Programme largely achieved ahead of schedule.
Phil Knowling and Caroline Thornycroft, the Programme Manager and his Personal Assistant, Andy Poulton, Marc Jenkins, Steve Doman and Ian Glennie, who led the themes, and the other members of the Smartplace Team, most of whom were at the final Board meeting, were thanked for the contributions they had all made to the success of the Smartplace Programme by Cllr Mark Baker, who extended the thanks and best wishes of the Council Leader, Jane Scott.
The Lessons Learned and End of Project Reports, Theme Reports written by Theme Champions, may be accessed through the following links:
Programme Management, Phil Knowling
- Programme Management Lessons Learned Report (pdf 108Kb)
- Programme Management End Project Report (pdf 128Kb)
Business, Andy Poulton
Learning and Experience Centres, Steve Doman
- eLearning Access Points & Experience Centres Lessons Learned
Report (pdf 78Kb)
- eLearning Access Points & Experience Centres End Project Report (pdf 62Kb)
Infrastructure, Michael Dunn
Marketing, Ian Glennie
Community, Marc Jenkins
- Community Theme eSwindon End Project Report (pdf 71Kb)
- eTrowbridge End Project Report (pdf 73Kb)
- Open All Hours End Project Report (pdf 64Kb)
- ePewsey End Project Repor (pdf 66Kb)
- eCalne End Project Report (pdf 66Kb)
- eChippenham End Project Report (pdf 65Kb)
- eTidworth End Project Report (pdf 63Kb)
- eMelksham End Project Report (pdf 61Kb)
- eSeymour End Project Report (pdf 65Kb)
- eCorsham End Project Report (pdf 64Kb)
- Virtual Classroom End Project Report (pdf 64Kb)
Contact Details
By Post
Alistair Cunningham
Head of Economic Regeneration and
Resources
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea
Road
Trowbridge
BA14 8JN
By Email
alistaircunningham@wiltshire.gov.uk
By Telephone
01225 713000
By Fax
01225 713999
