Electronic Precinct - Nov 1997

£1.02 m for Connect

Capital Challenge is open only to UK local authorities and was originally intended to fund major capital infrastructure projects such as town centre improvements. Knowsley's submission was unique in that it was the only entry nationwide that did not involve bricks and mortar. Entitled INTER.COMM 20 00, the initiative is rooted in Knowsley Council's Community Information Programme, a strategic and integrated plan to equip the people and businesses of Knowsley with ready and easy access to the most sophisticated information systems to educate, inform and empower so that they may participate fully in the modern economy and in society at large.

The project centres around a team of ten specialist 'architects' at Connect, whose remit is to build on the foundations of the existing Community Information Programme and construct a communications infrastructure that is immediately accessible and useful to Knowsley residents and businesses, at th e same time flexible enough to accommodate technological advances over the period of the project and beyond.

The construction of INTER.COMM 2000 is a three phase process comprising Information, Interaction and finally Interconnection. Connect are involved with the whole range of Council activities, from inward investment to Social Services and Education. The project commenced in April this year. To date, the Council are delighted with the rate of progress and surprised by the strong positive reaction to the Knowsley Web site (http://www.knowsley.gov.uk/) from both individuals and from other local government agencies in the UK and further afield.

The initiative has pre-empted a number of other central government initiatives, such as the National Grid for Learning and the training of teachers and librarians in the new technologies, which has attracted attention nationwide. In this regard Connect has recently played host to ten local MPs, two MEPs and Dr Kim Howells, Minister for Lifelong Learning with the DFEE. Dr Howells spent three hours with Connect, meeting staff and visiting the Internet Express at Sefton Park Library.

Staff wishing to contact Connect should note that the Centre has just moved into new accommodation in the refurbished Royal Infirmary building - the Email address remains info@connect.org.uk