A five-point plan for improving Burnley’s digital connectivity was developed following research and a consultation exercise carried out with local businesses.
The study carried out by Kada Research involved a desk-based review of existing evidence including data from Ofcom and Centre for Cities, insights and review of best practice from elsewhere and a business survey with 109 local businesses about their digital connectivity and plans. It aims to provide Burnley with a comprehensive, innovative and evidence based digital action plan that, when implemented, would place the borough at the forefront of regional, national, and global digital growth, employment, and development.
The key findings were that Burnley has high levels of superfast availability but gigabit availability lags behind UK targets for 2025. Overall, in terms of high-speed digital connectivity the borough fares comparatively well. However, fibre to the premises take up remains very low, parts of the borough including the town centre and, Hapton and Padiham have lower levels of superfast connectivity despite there being clusters of businesses in these locations. Provision is focussed on highly dense residential areas.
There remains a large gap between availability and take up of fast broadband services. Based on the business survey, the biggest barriers identified for businesses are reliability and cost.
The findings have resulted in a five-point action plan:
- Take Burnley’s digital infrastructure to the next level
Raise visibility of digital infrastructure in the council’s policies, programmes and strategies and consider engaging with partners such as Superfast Lancashire and BT Open Reach to take advantage of sub regional opportunities and reach ultra-fast fiber targets. The council should also support businesses by offering impartial advice to firms on how best to enhance reliability and performance of their broadband connections.
- Narrow Burnley’s digital divide and inspire the next generation of tech entrepreneurs
Consider joining the Co-operative Councils Innovation Network Policy Lab to map digital inequality across the borough and set a target to reduce digital inequalities and appoint digital champions to support community engagement. Consider working with partners on new programmes for schools, colleges and community groups to develop a pipeline of digitally skilled workers.
- Promote digital excellence through investment in advanced digital skills
Liaise closely with key partners on digital skills priorities to promote digital placements and work experience, exploit current and emerging funds such as the fast-track digital workforce fund. Promote local use of free online skills programmes such as Google’s Digital Garage, Open University’s Succeeding in a Digital World, and Microsoft’s Digital Skills Hub. Offer digital boot camps or short intensive training/digital workshops for local firms.
- Support aspiring, scaling or late-stage digital entrepreneurs
Ensure tech entrepreneurs in Burnley are able to exploit appropriate growth, sector and trade programmes such as TechNation, AMRC North West for their digital transition programmes, and Department of International Trade’s digital commerce support.
- Promote digital excellence
Work closely with Digital Lancashire and revitalise the Digital Burnley Group, using the opportunity to steer skills funding and programmes and stimulate business engagement.
Promote digital success stories via council, stakeholder, and associated organisations using case studies (written, voice and video) and develop marketing collateral for new investors.