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A pilot project to help councils modernise and become more resilient through digital and cyber improvement schemes is progressing in South Tyneside.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ is the only pilot local authority in the north - and one of eight in the country - to be involved in the Future Councils Programme, which was established by Local Digital - part of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

Following a successful bid, the Council secured £750,000 grant to fund work and projects that improve local authority digital services and resilience as well as look at the wider challenges and issues that councils face as they work towards becoming more modern.

Members received update on the project when Borough Council met this week (Thursday 29 June).

Councillor Joanne Bell, Lead Member for Governance, Finance and Corporate Services, said: "Every Council department uses digital solutions and data to support the effective day to day delivery of services.

"Being part of this pilot project gives us the opportunity to build on the modernisation work we already do by further exploring and embracing new technology so that we can continue to meet changing residents' expectations and behaviours, support new ways of working and strengthen our resilience.

"As a pilot, we will also be helping Local Digital evaluate their approach and consider how it can be improved to help other councils across the country."   

The pilot project is running until the autumn.