Scrutiny Review Panel, Tuesday 25th November 2014

Current Conditions in

Understanding the Accessibility of Digital Services Across the Borough

Digital Inclusion – The Local Context and Baseline Introduction

The Scrutiny Review Panel meeting on the 24th November will explore the baseline position in relation to digital inclusion in Stockport. Later panel meetings with discuss the barriers to digital inclusion and what the Council and its partners might do to address these.

This paper examines the access to digital services for residents of Stockport following the main themes requested by the committee. Some effort was made to find both:

 case studies to provide qualitative intelligence to complement the quantitative data, and  more local quantitative data

Unfortunately, many qualitative sources are effectively out of date given the rapid changes to digital access patterns and modes. Local quantitative data is also scarce and largely restricted to the Council’s Channel Shift Research Report May 2013, drawing on local surveyed results.

At the previous meeting of this committee the members expressed an interest in digital inclusion in relation to age and socio-economic group, disability, small business and Third Sector organisation patterns of local access. Introductory information on these groups is set out below and will be supplemented by a series of presentations in order to inform discussion by the Panel.

A detailed review of the location currently available in Stockport for public access to PC and the internet has also been included in an appendix.

Background

Martha Lane Fox, the UK Digital Champion, in November 2012 said in a report on the drive for digital by default in social housing;

“Lack of access entrenches disadvantage among the residents and prevents providers from making urgent efficiency savings and delivering better and more responsive services. The status quo is untenable.”1

Like other reports in more recent years it identifies the trend in the general moving to the internet, and hence web access unlocking employment, education and training, social inclusion, housing availability, access to health information, and access to more competitively priced goods.

1 DIGITAL BY DEFAULT 2012 the case for digital housing; access online at - http://www.go- on.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/HousingTechnology_DigitalbyDefault2012_FINAL.pdf To bridge the ‘divide’ the report suggests the use of digital champions, the provision of cheap equipment and broadband in social housing, public WiFi, laptop loan schemes, PC recycling and community hubs where access and training is available. This list is consistent with other contemporary articles.

In contrast to this, there is a new emerging discussion that makes reference to the changes in technology, and society’s adoption of it in the last ten years. These new conversations suggest that people are using technology not as a bolt-on expensive accessory to their everyday lives, but more as a necessity. That perhaps there should not be as great an emphasis on a paternalistic approach to bridging the gap, and that the access and skills are becoming more common such that access can be gained via proxies, for example children filling in online forms on behalf of elderly parents.

Local academics reflected on the Martha Lane Fox report in the article University Reviews the Digital by Default Report2. They identify that there may be different kinds of divide; lack of equipment, a broadband divide and lack of skills.

2 Manchester University Review the ‘Digital by Default’ report; access online at: https://www.escholar.manchester.ac.uk/uk-ac-man-scw:207852 Age and Socio Economic Group

The following table was produced from data from Ipsos MORI’s ‘Tech Tracker’ which is a quarterly representative survey of GB adults aged 15+. The latest figures from Ipsos show that 84% of the British public access the internet, with usage highest amongst younger people and higher social grades. Perhaps as expected, older people from lower social grades are least likely to go online.

Percentage Accessing the Internet by Gender and Social Grade in 2013/2014 All 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Males 86% 97% 97% 94% 91% 81% 59% Males AB 94% 100% 100% 100% 98% 96% 80% Males C1 92% 99% 97% 97% 96% 89% 69% Males C2 84% 95% 97% 98% 91% 81% 44% Males DE 71% 94% 94% 78% 67% 52% 32%

All 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Females 83% 97% 95% 94% 91% 79% 53% Females AB 93% 100% 100% 100% 99% 95% 80% Females C1 89% 100% 99% 97% 96% 88% 63% Females C2 80% 97% 93% 94% 90% 83% 38% Females DE 67% 93% 89% 83% 71% 48% 32%

0-49% 50-79% 80-100%

From the Stockport survey in 2012, 71% of respondents have access to the internet, and access to the internet was highest amongst those living in Non-Priority areas (72% v 62%), those aged under 55 (79-89% v 34-55%) and those without any disability (74% v 54%).

Disability and Access to the internet

Comparing the results from the Stockport 2012 survey with national statistics from 2014 provides some insight to the current situation, but the caution is needed in interpreting the results because there is a two year gap separating the surveys.

Population of Stockport Vs. General Population:

Percentage of the Population with Access to the Internet

UK Stockport Without a 85 74 Disability With a 63 54 Disability

These figures are perhaps best viewed graphically. Nationally those with access to the internet and with a disability is 74% of the population with digital access and without a disability, in Stockport this figure falls to 73%.This small disparity may be due to the age of the Stockport survey, in which case Stockport closely follows the national trend. Percentage of the Population with Access to the Internet

90 80 70 60 50 Without a Disability 40 With a Disability 30 20 10 0 UK Stockport

Small to Medium Size Enterprise (SME) and the Third Sector Access to the Internet

There was no reliable data found for small business access to digital service in Stockport, although it is recognised as an important area for consideration. In boarder terms a report written by the Broadband Stakeholder Group, Capitalising on connectivity: Realising the benefits of broadband for UK Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, expressed the importance of the internet for small businesses and charities and suggest that these groups lag behind the available infrastructure provision. Helping SMEs do more with their broadband connectivity represents a huge opportunity for the UK. Broadband- enabled applications and uses have the potential to pervade every level of business operations to positive effect, and yet even where advanced digital infrastructure exists there can be a significant lag in the taking up of those benefits from some SMEs.

The Go-On North West organisation, a charity working to ensure greater digital inclusion, suggests that 38% of small businesses and charities are yet to exploit the opportunities of the internet.

Issues of digital access in third-sector agencies will be addressed in presentations to the Panel.

Digital Service Access

Stockport Council owned facilities that provide public access to PCs and the internet are set out below. The job club facilities are available during limited hours and in practice are only accessed by job seekers.

A more detailed list is provided in the appendix to this report.

Libraries

LOCATION PCs

Adswood & Bridgehall Library 4

Bramhall Library 13

Bredbury Library 11

Brinnington Library 11 Central Library 40

Cheadle Hulme Library 9

Cheadle Library 9

Edgeley Library 12

Great Moor Library 6

Hazel Grove Library 10

Heald Green Library 9

Heatons Library 13

High Lane Library 6

Marple Library 14

Offerton Library 5

Reddish Library 11

Job Clubs

Location Opening time Number of PCs First House, Monday 9am-3pm 10 PCs The Open Door, Bridgehall

This venue will be closing soon, with Tuesday 9am-3pm (also 4 PCs the Work Club moving into Bridgehall available at other times) Community Centre on the same day and time.

Stonemill Terrace, Lancashire Hill Wednesday 9am-3pm 8 PCs

Offerton Community Centre Thursday 9am-3pm 7 PCs

Public WiFi Project

In the new year Stockport Council’s public Wifi project will be completed. This will see eighteen public building providing free access to the internet. The buildings included in this project are listed here.

Stockport Council Public WiFi First House (Brinnington) Offerton Social Club Fred Perry House & Bridgehall Library (Bridgehall Community Centre) Bramhall Library Bredbury Library & Information Office Library Cheadle Library Library Great Moor Library Library Heald Green Library High Lane Library Marple Library Housing Office Reddish Library Stockport Central Library Heatons Library The Availability of Broadband Access to the internet in Stockport Appendix - Public Access to PCs and the Internet Stockport

Please note that this list includes the Libraries previously listed in this report.

With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

13 Access Points for WiFi and Guest WiFi over 1st and 2nd Floors. Kiosks can be used Yes, reception 2 x kiosks 1 St Peter's to access internal websites such as staff can offer Stockport to access Yes Square Stockport Homes, Stockport Council, the support if services Job Centre etc. The Kiosks do not allow required access to external sites.

7021 Cyber 30 Lower Hillgate, SK1 Yes Yes £1 for 30 mins of use Lounge 1JE With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

Free. Monday 9am - 5pm Bridgehall Community Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Adswood & Tuesday 9am - 5pm Yes, librarians Centre, Siddington Yes 4 and then the session can be refreshed by a Bridgehall Wednesday 9am - 1pm Internet Yes can offer Avenue, Bridgehall, machines librarian if there is nobody else waiting. Library Thursday 9am - 5pm support Stockport Using computers: printing is available - Fee Friday 9am - 4.30pm is applied.

Free. "Lunch and Learn Local Heroes" project running for 2 years from May 2014. Arthur Hipley Close, Also once per month Lunch club runs from Greenwood Mondays 11am to 12 noon Yes Yes Yes Woodley, Stockport 12:30 to 2pm. Due to have digital projector Centre and screen installed. Has large number of ipads and laptops

Available to residents of Beaver House Stockport Yes Yes Montal Terminal with wifi block With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

Beckwith 1 Wellington Road, House 4th Yes 1 Access Point for WiFi and Guest WiFi Stockport Floor

Monday 10am - 5 pm Free. Bramhall Lane South, Tuesday 9am - 6 pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Bramhall, Stockport. Yes, librarians Bramhall Wednesday Closed Yes 13 and then the session can be refreshed by a SK7 2DU Internet Yes can offer Library Thursday 9am - 7pm machines librarian if there is nobody else waiting. T: 0161 217 6009 F: support Friday 9am - 5pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee 0161 439 4437 Saturday 9am - 4pm is applied.

Monday 9.30am - 5pm Free. George Lane, Tuesday 9.30am - 5pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Bredbury, Stockport. Bredbury Wednesday 9.30am - 7pm Yes 11 and then the session can be refreshed by a SK6 1DJ Internet Yes Yes Library Thursday Closed machines librarian if there is nobody else waiting. T: 0161 217 6009 F: Friday 9.30am - 6pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee 0161 430 4384 Saturday 9am - 4pm is applied. With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

Bradshaw Hall Lane, Yes - support Brereton Montal Terminal with wifi, support from Cheadle Hulme, For residents at present Yes Yes from Court startinpoint as part of Casserole Click Stockport Startinpoint

Yes - support For residents at present: from Brindale Brindale Road, Digital Champions provided Yes Free Startinpoint and House Stockport by Stockport Homes visit Digital Brindale House Champions With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

Free. First House, 367 Monday 9am - 5pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Brinnington Road, Tuesday 9am - 5pm and then the session can be refreshed by a Yes, librarians Brinnington Brinnington, Wednesday 9am - 1pm Yes, 9 Internet & librarian if there is nobody else waiting. can offer Library Stockport. SK5 8EN Thursday 9am - 7pm machines WiFi Yes WiFi Download/Upload limits apply. support T: 0161 217 6009 F: Friday 9am - 5pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee 0161 406 6989 Saturday 10am - 2pm is applied.

Free. Monday 10am - 7pm Wellington Road Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Tuesday 10am - 7pm South, Stockport. SK1 and then the session can be refreshed by a Yes, librarians Central Wednesday 9am - 5pm Yes 40 Internet & 3RS librarian if there is nobody else waiting. can offer Library Thursday 9am - 5pm machines WiFi Yes T: 0161 217 6009 F: WiFi Download/Upload limits apply. support Friday 9am - 7pm 0161 474 4486 Using computers: printing is available - Fee Saturday 9am - 4pm is applied.

Monday 9.30am - 7pm Free. Mellor Road, Cheadle Tuesday 9.30am - 6pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Hulme, Stockport. SK8 Yes, librarians Cheadle Wednesday Closed Yes 9 and then the session can be refreshed by a 5AU Internet Yes can offer Hulme Library Thursday 9.30am - 6pm machines librarian if there is nobody else waiting. T: 0161 217 6009 F: support Friday 9.30am - 5pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee 0161 474 4367 Saturday 9am - 4pm is applied. With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

Monday 10am - 5pm Free. Ashfield Road, Tuesday 10am - 7pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Yes, librarians Cheadle Cheadle, Stockport. Wednesday Closed Yes 9 and then the session can be refreshed by a Internet Yes can offer Library SK8 1BB Thursday 10am - 7pm machines librarian if there is nobody else waiting. support T: 0161 217 6009 Friday 10am - 5pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee Saturday 10am - 4pm is applied.

Yes, pop-up training is on offer. Support is Cherry Tree also offered on 6 Cherry Tree Lane, Wednesday 1:30pm to Pop up training provided by Startingpoint Community Yes Yes a referral-basis Romiley 3:30pm who also bring laptops and MIFI cloud Shops by Stockport Homes digital champion scheme.

Monday 10am - 6pm Free. Edgeley Road, Tuesday 10am - 5pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Edgeley, Stockport. Yes, librarians Edgeley Wednesday 10am - 7pm Yes 12 and then the session can be refreshed by a SK3 9NB Internet Yes can offer Library Thursday Closed machines librarian if there is nobody else waiting. T: 0161 217 6009 F: support Friday 10am - 5pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee 0161 968 1832 Saturday 10am - 4pm is applied. With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

Yes- on Mondays 9am- Yes - 10 3pm staff from First House offers Learner Computers Yes - WiFi the Work Clubs First House, 367 Brinnington Road, 1 Access Point for WiFi and Guest WiFi in Lounge Work Clubs on in the and can help Brinnington Stockport the housing office, and one in First House Mondays 9am-3pm Computer Broadband customers who Room have been referred by the DWP

13 Access Points for WiFi and Guest WiFi Fred Perry Edward Street, Yes covering floors 1 to 4 Restricted access - House Stockport only to council forms and gov't websites.

175-177 Bramhall Funky Lane, Davenport SK2 Yes Free WiFi Monkey Café 6JA

Grand Central Yes 1 Access Point for WiFi and Guest WiFi (Blockbusters) With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

Monday 10am - 6pm Free. Gladstone Street, Tuesday 10am - 5pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Great Moor, Yes 7 Public Yes, librarians Great Moor Wednesday 10am - 7pm and then the session can be refreshed by a Stockport. SK2 7QF access Internet Yes can offer Library Thursday Closed librarian if there is nobody else waiting. T: 0161 217 6009 F: computers support Friday 10am - 5pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee 0161 483 3046 Saturday 10am - 4pm is applied.

121/123 London Road By appointment only. Mon Short introduction to IT Free to anyone. Grove Hazel Grove Stockport - Thurs 9.30 - 5pm Fridays Yes Yes Most other courses Free if in receipt of Yes Training Ltd SK7 4HH 9.30 -2pm benefit

Monday 10am - 7pm Free. Beech Avenue, Hazel Tuesday 9am - 7pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Grove, Stockport. SK7 Yes, librarians Hazel Grove Wednesday 9am - 1pm Yes 10 and then the session can be refreshed by a 4QP Internet Yes can offer Library Thursday 9am - 6pm machines librarian if there is nobody else waiting. T: 0161 217 6009 F: support Friday 9am - 5pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee 0161 483 9864 Saturday 9am - 4pm is applied. With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

Monday 10am - 5pm Free. Finney Lane, Heald Tuesday 10am - 7pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Yes, librarians Heald Green Green, Stockport. SK8 Wednesday Closed Yes 10 and then the session can be refreshed by a Internet Yes can offer Library 3JB Thursday 10am - 6pm machines librarian if there is nobody else waiting. support T: 0161 217 6009 Friday 10am - 5pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee Saturday 10am - 4pm is applied.

Heaton Wilkinson Street, Available to residents of Yes Yes Montal Terminal with wifi Towers Stockport block

Monday 10am - 5pm Free. Thornfield Road, Tuesday 10am - 7pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, , Yes, librarians Heatons Wednesday 10am - 7pm Yes 13 and then the session can be refreshed by a Stockport. SK4 3LD Internet Yes can offer Library Thursday Closed machines librarian if there is nobody else waiting. T: 0161 217 6009 F: support Friday 10am - 6pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee 0161 443 1805 Saturday 9am - 4pm is applied. With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

Monday 10am - 1pm Free. Buxton Road, High Tuesday 2.30pm - 7pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Yes, librarians High Lane Lane, Stockport. SK6 Wednesday Closed Yes 6 and then the session can be refreshed by a Internet Yes can offer Library 8DX Thursday 2.30pm - 6pm machines librarian if there is nobody else waiting. support T: 0161 217 6009 Friday 2.30pm - 5.30pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee Saturday 10am - 2pm is applied.

Yes - some computers are Monday 8am-6pm available Tuesday 8am - 6pm for job Jobcentre Heron House, Wednesday 8am-6pm searches Yes, staff can Plus, Wellington Street, Yes Free to use Thursday 8am-6pm only, offer support Stockport Stockport Friday 8am-6pm others are available for making benefit claims. With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

First House, 367 Brinnington Road, Kiosk - East Brinnington, Yes Yes Free - S Homes services Yes Area Stockport. SK5 8EN T: 0161 217 6009 F: 0161 406 6989

Bridgehall Community Centre Kiosk - East Siddington Avenue, Yes Yes Free S homes services Yes Area Bridge Hall SK3 8NR

Monday 10am - 7pm Free. Memorial Park, Tuesday 9am - 7pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Marple, Stockport. SK6 Yes, librarians Marple Wednesday 9am - 1pm Yes 16 and then the session can be refreshed by a 6BA Internet Yes can offer Library Thursday 9am - 5pm machines librarian if there is nobody else waiting. T: 0161 217 6009 F: support Friday 9am - 6pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee 0161 426 0477 Saturday 9am - 4pm is applied.

Council Offices, Marple Social 4 Access Points for WiFi and Guest WiFi Memorial Park, Yes Services covering offices Marple

Norris Towers Wilkinson Street, Available to residents of Yes Yes Montal Terminal with wifi With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

Stockport block

Offerton Community Centre, Mallowdale Offerton Road, Offerton, Learner Lounge Work Club, Yes 5 Work Club is free - customer is referred by Yes, during Community Internet Yes Stockport. SK2 5NX Thursdays 9am-3pm machines the DWP Work Club Centre T: 0161 217 6009 F: 0161 474 2532

Offerton Community Monday 10am - 5pm Free. Centre, Mallowdale Tuesday 2pm - 5pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Yes, librarians Offerton Road, Offerton, Wednesday Closed Yes 5 and then the session can be refreshed by a Internet Yes can offer Library Stockport. SK2 5NX Thursday 2pm - 7pm machines librarian if there is nobody else waiting. support T: 0161 217 6009 F: Friday 10am - 1pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee 0161 474 2532 Saturday 10am - 2pm is applied.

Ratcliffe Available to residents of Mottram Street, Yes Yes Montal Terminal with wifi Towers block With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

Monday 10am - 7pm Free. Tuesday 10am - 5pm Broadband: can use for 1 hour at a time, Gorton Road, Reddish, Yes, librarians Reddish Wednesday 10am - 7pm Yes 11 and then the session can be refreshed by a Stockport. SK5 6UG Internet Yes can offer Library Thursday Closed machines librarian if there is nobody else waiting. T: 0161 217 6009 support Friday 10am - 5pm Using computers: printing is available - Fee Saturday 10am - 4pm is applied.

Russell , Montal Terminal with wifi, support from For residents at present Yes Yes Gardens Stockport startinpoint as part of Casserole Click

Yes, there There are 9 computers with broadband 3 Woodley Precinct are 9 interent available on site. There is also WiFi Woodley computers available for guests. Startpoint also runs Stockport Information of IT events is with regular outreach 'Computer drop-in Startpoint SK6 1RJ available on a monthly Yes Yes broadband sessions' at other sites including Brindale 01619 372 836 template on the website. interent House, Cherry Tree Shops, Startpoint [email protected] available Coffee Shop, and the Arthur Greenwood k on site. Centre

Stonemill Yes, during Learning and Stonemill Terrace, Work Club for Yes - 7 Yes - Employment Lancashire Hill SK5 Wednesdays 9am-3pm only available during work club activites customers laptops broadband Lounge 218 7RW referred by the 1358 DWP With WiFi Support Location Address Opening Times Cost/Comments Equipment /internet Available

Voewood Victoria Park, Available to residents of Yes Yes Montal Terminal with wifi No House Stockport block

Yes, York St. is also supported by Stockport Free. "Older Bolder Online - Together" Homes' digital York Street Various activities including lunch club, champion Community Rooms , Community Tuesdays 3:30 to 5pm Yes Yes bingo and computers. Has wifi and 8 scheme, which Bengal Street, Edgeley centre ethernet ports. Also digital projector and can provide screen. Ipads and laptops help and assistance for beginners on a referral basis