We’ve completed the fourth round of funding decisions from the Local Digital Fund, and we’re excited to announce the projects that will receive continued financial support from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
This round of funding was open to project teams from rounds 2 and 3 only - a decision you can read about in our previous blog post. Some of the project teams are concluding their previous project stage, so this guaranteed funding will help them to keep up the momentum needed in collaborative working.
Beta funding
Back office planning application systems
This project is continuing an exploration to make the planning process more efficient and transparent for users. The London Borough of Southwark will lead the beta phase, collaborating with the London Borough of Hackney, Surrey Heath Borough Council and the Greater London Authority. The project has received £350,000 of funding in this round. You can read about the previous project phase here.
Reducing invalid planning applications
The project team is working to develop a service design system that limits submission of incomplete or invalid digital planning applications. The London Borough of Lambeth will lead the beta phase, collaborating with Wycombe District Council and the London Boroughs of Camden, Lewisham and Southwark. The project has received £350,000 of funding in this round. You can read about the previous project phase here.
Prototyping an open community data service model
This project aims to develop a community-based service directory in local areas to help people and council officers know what support services are locally available. This includes both council and third sector provided support services. Adur and Worthing Councils will lead the beta phase, collaborating with Buckinghamshire County Council, the London Borough of Croydon and Leeds City Council. The project has received £250,000 of funding in this round. You can read about their previous discovery findings here.
Alpha funding
Improving code-sharing between councils
The project team is focusing on removing the blockers to councils sharing code, allowing better collaboration and less duplication of work. The London Borough of Croydon will continue to lead on the alpha phase, collaborating with Brighton & Hove City Council, Bracknell Forest Council and Oxford City Council. The project team have received £100,000 of funding in this round. You can read about the previous project phase here.
Better income management and e-payment systems
The main focus of this project is the development of a new product for processing and reconciliation of payments received. Barnsley Metropolitan Council will lead on the alpha phase of the project, working with Dorset County Council and Huntingdonshire District Council. The project team have received £100,000 of funding in this round. You can read about the previous project phase here.
Online housing repairs
This project aims to explore and prototype common service patterns for reporting and managing repairs. The Royal Borough of Greenwich will lead on this extended alpha phase, collaborating with City of Lincoln Council, South Kesteven Council and the London Borough of Southwark. The project team have received £50,000 of funding in this round. You can read about the previous project phase here.
Stay informed on Local Digital Fund projects
You can read about the previous phases of each of the projects on the Local Digital website. Links to the projects working documents, weeknotes, blogs and more can be found on their project pages.
You can receive future updates on our work and from the #LocalDigital community by following @LDgovUK on Twitter, joining LocalGov Digital and using their Slack community, and by registering to receive our fortnightly newsletter.
