Cows wearing GPS collars and food vans predicting the locations of potential customers were just some of the good practices presented at the Better project thematic event in the week of 15th June 2020. The Better project – stimulating regional innovation through better e-government services -is funded through Interreg NW Europe. It brings together five European cities to exchange good practice on the latest application of digital development. This learning is then embedded in regional action plans. The project aims to develop policies that support local authorities to find digital solutions to deliver more efficient services. Additionally, these policies aim to create a better-connected digital infrastructure that will help SMEs grow their businesses by more effectively engaging with the innovation ecosystem.
Birmingham City Council (BCC) and West Midlands Innovation Alliance participated in three thematic on-line workshops:
-Building partnership for data collection: providing the evidence to stimulate effective working across public and private sector
-Data visualization: A way of effectively engaging with our citizens and across public and private sector
-Public Sector Reform: How can data be used to support the objectives of public administrations and foster more integrated working and management models?
-Digital tech is certainly enjoying its zeitgeist moment. The pandemic has underlined the importance of smart, digital, flexible solutions. Solutions which provide continuity of services that do not put in jeopardy the health of municipal employees and citizens in metropolises. The event was an excellent opportunity to exchange good practice and determine which of the practices could be adopted in our cities.
Team Birmingham came to the discussions with several challenges we want to address:
1. Food distribution in the time of pandemics and beyond. BCC has been delivering food parcels for the clinically vulnerable shielding due to C-19.
2. Obesity levels in the city – nearly 25% of children are obese when they start school, rising to 40% when they leave primary school.
3. Better connectivity between data sharing platforms. Birmingham has a plethora of data sharing platforms including BCC’s GIS and Birmingham City University’s City Gate.
Some fantastic good practice examples were shared at the meeting.
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