Content

RESOLVED:

1.      That this Council
notes:

a)           
2.3 million people aged 65 and over, approximately 1
in 5, do not use the internet.

b)           
Around 3.3 million people aged 65 and over in the UK
do not use a smartphone.

c)            
4.7 million people aged 65 and over do not have the
basic skills to use the internet successfully and
safely.

d)           
The valuable role our libraries play in providing
access to IT equipment, internet access, and training to residents,
including 1-2-1 IT support. 

2.      That this Council
acknowledges AGE UK’s ‘Offline and Overlooked’
campaign and notes this Councils ongoing commitment to:

a)           
Maintain services and support to services that can
be accessed not only online, but by telephone and face-to-face, and
in places and spaces that are accessible to all, including elderly
people, people with disabilities, British Sign Language (BSL)
users, people with sensory and communication loss and people for
whom English is not their first language.

b)           
Enable engagement and consultation to be undertaken
by alternative methods of communication in addition to an online
offering.

c)            
Deliver on the undertakings contained within the
Council Plan in particular commitments 6 (Supporting Vulnerable
People), 9 (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) and 10 (The
importance of co-operations and partnerships).

d)           
Remove all barriers that prevent universal
opportunity to fully participate within society, local democracy
and engage with Council services.

e)           
Support our local libraries as much as resources
allow to ensure they can continue to offer IT support to our most
vulnerable residents. 

3.      That this Council asks the
Executive to resolve to guarantee that our elderly population are
not barred from essential services by ensuring:

a)           
All council services can be easily accessed
‘offline’ such as by telephone and in person and
through alternative formats such as paper copies of
applications.

b)           
All council staff know and are able to signpost to
the offline options available to access support and
services.

c)            
That offline options for applying for services and
support are well publicised.

d)           
The Council works with libraries to ensure the
community are aware of the digital help currently offered, such as
IT Buddies and consider the possibility of rolling out additional
1-2-1 sessions if funding allows.

e)           
The elderly are aware of support offered by local
charities and parish and town councils. 

4.      That this Council asks the
Executive and all Councillors to encourage our core partner
organisations, such as those in the public transport and public
health, as well as our Town, Parish and Community Councils to
ensure they are easily accessible to those not digitally able
through publicised locations and open office hours.

5.      That this Council asks the
Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Local Government
and English Devolution to:

a)           
Express this council’s support for Age
UK’s Offline and Overlooked Campaign.

b)           
Urge central government to ensure local government
receives sufficient funding to provide offline services.

c)            
Highlight the need for additional funding to enable
Milton Keynes Council to provide support to those who are not
computer and/or technology users but would wish to be.