Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

 

“1       Relevant Background Information

 

1.1    Innovation is central to economic growth and business competitiveness, and is at the heart of the Europe 2020 strategy. The European Union has set itself the goal of becoming an ‘Innovation Union’.

 

         Through its research and innovation and regional policies, the EU has been promoting smart and sustainable urban development. The next EU research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020, will run from 2014 to 2020. It will concentrate more than ever on funding the whole 'innovation chain', from scientific breakthrough to close-to-market development. Future EU regional funding will also focus more on research and innovation, for instance building research infrastructure.

 

1.2    European Capital of Innovation Award

 

         The European Capital of Innovation Award will reward the city which is building the best ‘innovation ecosystem’, connecting citizens, public organisations, academia, and business. Given that 68% of the EU population now lives in urban areas, it is these areas that will contribute the most to making Europe more innovative. Cities foster innovation in their own provision of services, but the key is to create the right environment for others to innovate and to allow the public and private spheres to connect.

 

         An independent panel of experts will select the winner in spring 2014, with the city chosen receiving €500000 towards scaling up its efforts. The deadline for applications is 3 December 2013.

 

         Cities will be judged both on initiatives and achievements until now, as well as their future ideas to enhance innovative capacity. They will have to demonstrate that they are following a comprehensive strategy that is:

 

·    Innovative - in terms of concepts, processes and tools.

·    Inspiring – with the aim of attracting talent, funding, investment and citizens' involvement and engagement.

·    Integrated – demonstrating links with the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy, namely smart, sustainable and inclusive growth across Europe.

·    Interactive - building a community for innovation within the city and with other cities.

 

         The award is for cities with over 100 000 inhabitants and for initiatives that have been running since at least 1 January 2010.

 

2       Key Issues

 

2.1    Belfast City Council was asked to take the lead by the European Health Alliance to coordinate stakeholders across the city to apply for the award and prize. In order for the partnership to be eligible for consideration, the Lord Mayor must sign the application agreeing to city involvement in the project.

  

         Concept of the application

 

2.2    The focus of the award will be to use digital technology to improve the quality of life of our older citizens.

 

2.3    BCC and its stakeholders have recognised the opportunities of embracing and exploiting digital technology. Investment to date has been targeted to deliver the digital infrastructure and technologies that will enhance the lives of its citizens.

 

2.4    This focus is already paying dividends – Belfast is one of the most connected cities in the European Union. Proactive investment from both the public and private sector means that the city has one of the best digital communications platforms in Europe and indeed the world.

 

         Basic broadband is available across the city and as you are aware BCC secured the second largest Super-connected city project outside of London.

 

         Aim

 

2.5    The overarching objective of the investment so far has been to take a proactive approach to the exploitation of this infrastructure across the city, to realise maximum economic and social benefit. In this vain, the application is being developed with the aim of using digital technology to improve the quality of life of our older citizens through the pervasive nature of our advanced digital infrastructure.

 

2.6    The stakeholders have identified a need to change the way Health and Social Care services are provided as well as the opportunities that technology offers in delivering modern, innovative person-centred services for aging citizens of Belfast.

 

2.7    This will allow citizens to receive care at home, to support patients in their communities and to deliver health and social care services in innovative methods that get people back to health and wellness so that they can engage in the rich economic and social opportunities that the city provides.

 

         Belfast City Council as a civic leader in the project

 

2.8    Belfast has the ambition of becoming an exemplar region for connected technologies.  It has already nurtured active collaborative working relationships between industry, professionals and academia. The project directly fits into citizenship within the corporate plan.

 

         The Declaration on Age-friendly Cities and Communities in Europe 2013

 

2.9    Belfast City Council has identified older people as a priority within its corporate plan and, in March 2012, the Council agreed that the Lord Mayor should sign the Age Friendly Cities and Communities Declaration (2011) committing Belfast to becoming a more Age-friendly city, thereby encouraging active, healthy aging. This was signed by the Lord Mayor in May 2012.

 

2.10   Belfast became a member of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Network of Age friendly Cities in April 2013. The Council is currently collaborating through its role in the Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership with voluntary and public sector organisations to develop a 3-year age friendly action plan for the City.

 

         Transforming Your Care: Vision to Action

 

2.11   At its meeting on 9 June 2012 the Committee received a briefing from Colm Donaghy, Chief Executive of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, outlining the content of ‘Transforming Your Care: A Review of Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland’, published by the DHSSPS. Subsequently, the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Edwin Poots, launched a consultation document, ‘Transforming Your Care: Vision to Action’ which summarises changes proposed to Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care System.

 

2.12   Recommendations concern the following ten areas of care

 

(i)    Population health and well being

(ii)    Older people

(iii)   Long-term conditions

(iv)   Physical disability

(v)   Maternity and Child health

(vi)   Family and Child care

(vii)  Mental Health

(viii)Learning Disability

(ix)   Acute care

(x)   Palliative and end of life care

 

2.13   The recommendations regarding population, health and well being are directly significant to the role and functions of local government and are directly linked to the project.

  

         Ensured citizens’ involvement and engagement

 

2.14   While the focus of this initiative is to enhance citizen’s care and enablement of our aging society, the investment in enhancing the digital platform has implications and benefits across society.

 

         We are now putting in place additional infrastructure through digital functions hubs which can be used for education, entertainment, business and health, addressing fundamental issues around social inclusion, education, employment and of course health.

 

2.15   By providing better care for citizens through increased innovation and utilisation of the digital platform the partnership can can reduce costs across the Health and Social Care sector; drive innovation which in turn will create jobs and economic activity by enhancing opportunities locally and also through foreign direct investment and open up opportunities for increased commercialisation of Intellectual Assets and increased export of products and knowledge.

 

2.16   As a result of the world class digital platform, Belfast has a strong and vibrant creative industry as well as ICT sector, both are well positioned to design and create digital technologies that can directly address the needs of those marginalised from society can have a real impact on individuals across the city.

 

2.17   Partners

 

         Belfast Metropolitan College

         European Health Alliance

         MATRIX- the Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel

         Belfast Health Trust

         Health and Social Care NI

 

3       Resource Implications

 

3.1    The award is 100% funded by the European Commission.

 

4       Equality and Good Relations Considerations

 

4.1    There are no Equality and Good Relations Considerations attached to this report.

 

5       Recommendations

 

5.1    It is recommended that Committee agree to submit the application on 3 December, subject to Council approval.”

 

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.