Pledge of net gain for all city families

Feb 14 2006 By Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

EVERY family in Birmingham should be on the internet within ten years under a new strategy announced today by the city's Labour group.

They have also pledged to put all council services and information on-line, from housing applications to street light repairs.

Council offices will also be banned from throwing away old computers while there are homes without internet access.

They will also use mobile phone text messages to inform parents immediately if children fail to register at school.

The ten-year plan, called eenabling Birmingham, signals the launch of Labour's bid to regain control of the council at the May local elections.

Labour leader Sir Albert Bore said: "Birmingham needs to capitalise on technology and knowledge-based industries and develop stronger connections between research and business.

"This requires us to transform Birmingham into a connected city with connections between the city centre and all its neighbourhoods, local communities and cultures, universities, research parks and businesses."

The strategy includes:

* Free evening wireless internet access within 200 yards of every council office by December 2006 and across the city by 2008.

* No council PC to be discarded whilst there is a home in the city without internet access.

They also pledge to use the technology to keep people informed of services and developments including:

* Council house applications, allocations and repairs should be on-line. The system should show properties available and identify waiting times.

* Planning, scheduling, and completion of road repairs, footpath relaying, street lighting maintenance, litter removal, investigation of noise complaints and refuse collection should be shown online.

They will also develop mobile phone text services offering commuters instant bus and train information or alerting parents if children have not registered at school.

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