Issue details

To assist digitally disadvantaged students in H&F during the Covid 19 pandemic and subsequent move to increased eLearning, Digital Services and Children’s Services are working with local partners to launch a crowdfunding campaign aimed at raising funds for laptops and data connectivity.

Children’s, in consultation with schools, has identified that in H&F there is a device shortfall of 1500 units, and connectivity is required for 500 students. High demand for devices nationally and limited availability have created difficult market conditions. However, an opportunity to secure devices at a favourable price has arisen through the London Grid for Learning (LGfL). To take advantage of this opportunity, H&F must place an order as soon as possible and ahead of the crowdfunding campaign, in order to secure and deliver the devices in a more compressed timescale.

The purpose of this report is to request the funds to secure the devices, with the intention that the crowdfunding campaign will launch and recoup the costs.