The connect.glos Programme
Executive Summary of the Penultimate Report
Oct 2007
‘connect.glos’ was the latest of the Broadband Partnership programmes created across the region as part of the South West Regional Development Agency’s (SWRDA) Connecting SW programme. The programme was co-ordinated by Gloucestershire First, as the Sub-Regional Economic Partnership, which also acted as the accountable body. Business Link Gloucestershire (BLG) was sub-contracted to deliver the agreed programme outputs. The County Broadband Partnership included the local authorities, SWRDA, the Learning and Skills Council Gloucestershire, and private sector partners.
The aim of the programme was to increase business productivity and sustainable growth in Gloucestershire, through the improved use of broadband and ICT, with a focus on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). A number of factors led to changes in the value of certain of the original target outputs set, including changes to the personnel and structure of key partners including BLG and a faster than predicted development of broadband technology. Much additional work was required to adapt to the changes and still deliver the core outputs required by the programmes aims and the major financial stakeholders, including SWRDA, the Local Authorities, and the Learning and Skills Council for Gloucestershire.
Financial data including forecast information on future growth and job creation was collected from companies who participated in the Catalyst project, these projections indicate the programme has supported businesses that will have a significant impact on the Gloucestershire economy over the next 12 to 24 months. The programme met or exceeded the set targets, supported 1320 businesses and provided IT training 375 people through a series of projects, events and seminars. Using the standard method of calculation, as used by BLG, the companies assisted forecast an increase in GVA (Gross Value Added) totalling £21,180,786 and the creation or retention of 472 jobs .
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