Isle of Wight Council wins global award
The Isle of Wight Council has won a global award for a digital project on regeneration. The local authority won the Smart Island Programme award at the Smart Island World Congress in Mallorca, Spain, this week. Judges praised the council’s efforts to engage businesses, service providers and young people at its digital conference held in November 2017. As part of the regeneration objectives, the resulting programme and strategy will shape plans to create a business innovation hub to focus on developing the Island’s digital future. Chris Ashman, the council’s director of regeneration, said: “This award helps put the Island on the global map and our work will help other islands seeking to make similar improvements. “By attending the congress, it was clear other islands are facing similar challenges to the Isle of Wight around growing business, supporting an ageing population and keeping young people here. “I’m really pleased we’re leading the way and our work with partners to deliver the programme has been given a real boost through this international recognition.” Council leader Councillor Dave Stewart added: “This is another example of the Isle of Wight leading from the front and another step towards creating a digital Island.” Councillor Michael Murwill, who helped to design the conference, said: “The Island is a great place for attracting and developing technology-based businesses and we will be focusing on this area going forward.”
