Newham Council Cabinet has set a course to transform Newham into a data driven economy and society.

The Sparks Programme, agreed in March, envisages a dramatic technology-driven future.

The Council has been collaborating with the University College London Institute of Global Prosperity. They estimate that through more extensive use of computer data, there could be 980,000 new employees in the UK and 5,000 new employees in Newham by 2035.

They presented a Call for Action:

– Developing further Digital Education in Newham;
– Setting up Sparks Centres to be located within 15-minute walking distances from residents;
– Data project exchanges with other local authorities;
– The concepts of Data Citizenship and a Sparks ID, which would enable residents to access London-wide systems.

The Cabinet also agreed a “blueprint for action” including:

– Develop a Borough-wide digital investment strategy;
– A digital corridor of organisations in the Lower Lea area;
– Train young digital ambassadors;
– Use software to measure success at reducing emissions.

The Cabinet also supported an agreement with Uber to install 400 electric vehicle charging points.

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