This report proposes to establish a framework, within which Information Technology initiatives can be effectively co-ordinated for the benefit of the Community. This will also guide the development of the Newham communications infrastructure beyond the Council. Members are asked to give provisional endorsement of a "Statement of Purpose" for the initiative, to be known as "Newham Online"

(c) Equality -

Members are asked to:

• Approve Newham Council’s membership of "Newham Online".
• Agree, in principle, to the endorsement of a Newham Online "Statement of Purpose".
• Receive an agreed Statement of Purpose for formal endorsement following the inaugural meeting of Newham Online.

1. The Council either leads or is a member of various projects designed to improve community access to information and services, and/or promote the economic regeneration of the area, by using Information Technology. Examples include:

1. The ATTACH Project which, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police, is developing a network of touch-screen kiosks. These provide direct public access to a wealth of community information and services.
2. The Council Intranet. This has become a vital means of access to Council records and information for members and officers throughout the Council. The Intranet will be a key component of the Local Service Strategy currently being developed. It will also support the improvement of front-line services in general.
3. The East London and Lee Valley Teleregion Limited. This is developing a communication network linking Councils, Universities, Colleges, Training and Enterprise Councils, the Voluntary Sector and other organisations in the region. Its aim is to promote regeneration through partnerships. It will support numerous projects with objectives such as the provision of better access to training and employment, facilitating inward investment, and business start-up and development.
4. Newtel, an umbrella organisation for 200 local charities that provides Information Technology training. It also supports the use of the Internet among voluntary and community organisations. The Council hosts an Internet World-Wide-Web (WWW) site for Newtel.

2. In addition, Newham is associated with many partnerships established to exploit Information Technology to support community initiatives. These include "Partnerships for Tomorrow", "UK Citizens Online Democracy", "UK Citizens Online Forum" and the "Newham Youth Parliament". (The latter project is linked to a proposed bid for funding under the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB)). Increasingly, such partnerships entail the development of links between Newham’s corporate communications network and partner organisations’. Most recently, the establishment of a "Civic Forum" will add impetus to these developments.

3. Initiatives such as those described all contribute to the development of Newham’s Vision including "…an integrated network bringing a seamless range of public information and services to within a short walk of every home". "Services will be available when working people want to use them, say in the evenings and at weekends". (Extracts from "Our Vision")
4. In practical terms this means that Newham’s corporate communications network, which we currently perceive as the "Council Network" must develop to encompass the whole of Newham. It should link other public sector bodies such as the Health Service, every school and business, and, eventually, every home.
5. To provide a framework, within which Information Technology initiatives can be effectively co-ordinated for the benefit of the Community, the creation of "Newham Online" has been proposed. This will also guide the development of the Newham communications infrastructure beyond the Council. An initial meeting is planned on 2^nd October to agree the Newham Online "Statement of Purpose". Attendees will include representatives of Aston Charities, the Council, Newham Recorder, Newham College of Further Education and the University of East London.
6. The draft Statement of Purpose appears in the next section of this report. This recognises that the Council will be a vital member of Newham Online because of its leadership role on behalf of the community.
7. Members are asked to agree to Newham’s membership of "Newham Online". They are requested to review the proposed Statement of Purpose, and consider formal endorsement of the version to be agreed by representatives at the initial Newham Online meeting. This will be presented to Members at the earliest opportunity following the meeting.

1. *Our vision

By the year 2005 Newham will be recognised as the leading UK centre for information and communication technologies in terms of both its commercial exploitation and its use to benefit the local community.

2. *Our commitment

Newham Online is a partnership of academic, private, public and voluntary sector bodies. Members agree to work together to ensure that maximum local benefit is obtained from the development of information and communication technologies. In particular, we will work together to use these technologies to improve the local economy, provide opportunities for learning and creativity and improve our service provision. We will provide improved and cheaper local communication, facilitate access to local information, develop leisure and entertainment opportunities and provide increased opportunity for participation in local affairs. In pursuing our vision we will seek the best designs and develop applications that bring real benefit to local people. We will ensure that online access is easy, cheap and widespread so as many as possible of Newham's citizens can share the benefits we foresee.

3. *Our values

1. Participation - We will seek to involve all sectors of the community in the development and implementation of our vision whether or not they currently have access to online technology.
2. Social inclusion - We will work towards ensuring that everyone in Newham has access to Newham's online services.
3. Partnership - We will welcome into partnership any who share our vision, commitment and values.
4. Content and communication - We will seek to enable all who use our services to contribute as well as receive content. They will be able to engage with wider online communities of interest, use the network to resolve local concerns and build a shared vision for the for the future of Newham and its people.
5. Freedom of speech - We will provide space for discussion forums that guarantee freedom of speech within the law.
6. Knowledge - We will support both training and independent learning to help people benefit from the opportunities available by information and communication technologies.
7. Evaluation - We will ensure that our work together has clear objectives and that our achievements are evaluated and publicly reported.
8. Sustainability - We will assure that any services provided through Newham Online are designed to ensure their sustainability.
9. Interoperability - The individual partners of Newham Online commit themselves to supporting the implementation of such standards as provide the best integrated communications platform for local people whilst maintaining compatibility with global communication standards.
10. Leadership - The partners recognise the leading role of Newham Council, as the representative of the people of Newham, in promoting, implementing and interpreting these principles.

Members are asked to:

• Approve Newham Council’s membership of "Newham Online".
• Agree, in principle, to the endorsement of a Newham "Online Statement of Purpose".
• Receive an agreed Statement of Purpose for formal endorsement following the inaugural meeting of Newham Online.