Connecting communities digitally remains a priority for ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ as it continues to support and develop ongoing relationships with the Scottish Government, contractors, communities, and other external partners to ensure the digital future of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute is at the forefront of discussions.
At the council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee meeting, councillors received an update on improvements to digital infrastructure in the area over the last 12 months, including the creation of four new digital island hubs.
The council secured £100k from the Scottish Government’s Islands Infrastructure Fund to establish Digital Hubs for communities on Coll, Tiree, Iona and Islay. All four hubs are now in operation and equipment in each one includes video conferencing systems, Touch screens, laser projectors, laptops and Ipads.
The Hubs are available for anyone to use and have been a great success. Several local charities, organisations, youth clubs, after school clubs and senior citizens groups use the hubs regularly for a range of activities, including presentations, training, interviews and meetings. The community on Iona has even used the equipment for movie nights.
Welcoming the success of the Digital hubs, the council’s Policy Lead for Business, Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess, said: “Digital infrastructure improvements are vital to the future development of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute and these hubs are a great way of helping to ensure that those in some of our more remote island communities have access to increased digital opportunities.
“Digital hubs empower residents and have considerable benefits. I’m delighted to see how successful they have already been on Coll, Tiree, Iona and Islay and look forward to seeing them go from strength to strength.â€