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Birmingham to fund web access for 1,800 families

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Kable

Published: 27 Nov 2008 12:55 GMT

Birmingham City Council is to provide computers and internet connections for 1,800 households in the Aston district.

The council's cabinet approved phase three of the Aston Pride IT Project on Monday. This will provide £2.47m for improving educational achievements and employment prospects in the area.

The scheme will provide computers for families of pupils from 11 schools. A spokesperson for the council told GC News that the computers will officially be provided on a loan basis, but there is an understanding that they will become obsolete within three or four years before they are reclaimed.

Families can pay a voluntary contribution of £10 per month, which includes a charge for maintenance.

They will be able to obtain broadband access through a wireless cloud set up by the city council with Gaia Technologies.

Phase one of the Aston Pride IT Project involved the provision of activities and training for 1,000 residents, and phase two provided 450 households with computers on the same basis as the new scheme.

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Councillor Les Lawrence, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: "The third phase of the Aston Pride IT Project marks a major step forward in our efforts to improve the quality of life for the area's families."

"Bridging the digital divide for those without access to information technology is essential if Aston families are to have the best possible chance of leading successful lives, both academically and in the workplace. Building on the success we have enjoyed with the project to date, this latest rollout will lay firm foundations for the futures of many," Lawrence said.

Aston Pride is a 10-year regeneration programme that has received £54m from the government under the New Deal for Communities programme.