A Community Strategy for Barnsley 2011 - 2015 - Barnsley Council ...

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The Priorities and Catalysts for Change • Existing businesses can adopt new technologies, helping to make them more efficient and competitive. • Individuals can take action, reducing their energy bills and increasing their disposable income. • Communities can come together on projects which help to tackle climate change. For example, through renewable energy projects cheap energy for local people can be produced, income can be generated to invest in other local priorities as well as helping to build a stronger community and environments developed to encourage bio diversity in addition to reducing carbon. What we want to achieve In order to capitalise on the advantages of a low carbon future and maximise economic benefits, Barnsley needs to act fast. Barnsley already has a competitive advantage in this area. For example: it is part of the Dearne Valley Ecovision; has a Sustainable Knowledge Transfer Centre of regional significance (Think low carbon centre at Barnsley College), and is viewed as a pioneer in maximising biomass use. Further action on the transition to a low carbon Barnsley includes work on: • Energy Efficiency - ensuring businesses and residents capitalise on efficiency measures to reduce costs. • Transport - working to increase public transport use, increasing the viability of services and reducing congestion, and working to introduce low carbon transport technology. • Harnessing new technology - pioneering widespread adoption of new technologies in homes and business, working with the private sector to increase skills and specialism in this area. • We also wish to see the Dearne Valley as an exemplar demonstrator area for low carbon initiatives, as part of a wider eco vision for the Dearne Valley. What success will look like Harnessing these new technologies has far wider reaching impacts. Success will alter homes and communities, the economy and industry, and transport choices: • Barnsley will be increasingly known as a low carbon area. • Public services will be more efficient ensuring maximum amounts of finance are used for delivery at a grass root level. • Against a backdrop of rising energy costs private sector businesses will create efficiencies, adding to their competitiveness. • Housing will be more fuel efficient, helping to alleviate fuel poverty and providing more disposable income. • More finance will be available for spend in the local economy. • Barnsley will be greener with more bio diversity. 12 A Community Strategy for Barnsley 2011 - 2015
The Priorities and Catalysts for Change Digital Barnsley Context This is not about technology, but about how things digital affect our lives. Just as life changed out of all recognition in the 19th century steam age and again in the 20th century electric age, so is it changing and will continue to change in the digital age. In many respects Barnsley, alone or within South Yorkshire, is already at the forefront of developments. The Digital Region project is bringing next generation broadband to South Yorkshire. Totally Online Barnsley is the most ambitious programme of digital inclusion in the UK, and probably in Europe. It aims to get everyone 'online', to benefit from digital technologies. Why this is important for Barnsley Entering a new age gives us the chance to be ahead of the game rather than trying to catch up as we have for so long now, particularly in economic terms. The spread of digital technologies and the ability for people and things to be joined through digital communications, will transform four aspects of life: • A vibrant 21st century economy. Having the best largescale broadband network in Europe – that is to say the best infrastructure for the digital age – will be a magnet for inward investment, just as it will be a bonus for local businesses to set up and grow. Not just the recognised “digital” businesses like software development, website design or video games, but all sorts of creative businesses, like architects, marketing, or business services. Manufacturing can also take advantage as digitally enabled smart manufacturing. • An enhanced quality of life. People can gain financially from discounted and smarter shopping, and in better job opportunities. There is access to knowledge, entertainment, social contact with distant family and friends, and there is democratic participation. There is also the ability to conduct routine matters quickly and anywhere convenient. • Stronger communities. With quick and easy communications, with online forums, neighbours and people with common interests can easily come together to exchange experiences, views, ideas. They can help to shape where they live. They can reduce crime and antisocial behaviour. They can become more confident and cohesive. • Better and cheaper services. Services can be more personalised, made-to-measure rather than one size fits all. Interactive forums can allow residents to help design how they are delivered. Many can be automated, others can be made simpler to operate for both the customer and staff. Digitally-enabled efficiencies can save huge amounts of money. Finally, and very importantly, becoming Digital Barnsley is an essential and integral element of the other 3 strands of this strategy. Our economy will be a digital one, the relationship between citizens and agencies will be transformed by digital technologies and a low carbon future can only be digital. 13 A Community Strategy for Barnsley 2011 - 2015
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