The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has launched a PropTech Engagement Fund to help councils and the industry step up the adoption of property technology.
Its digital planning team is initially making up to £100,000 each available to 10-12 local authorities for selected projects focused on engagement around the plan-making process and development management.
The councils will be able to procure a supplier to work with them, utilising tools available on the market.
MHCLG said it will support local authorities using G-Cloud or the Spark dynamic purchasing system, both run by the Crown Commercial Service.
It is planning to run a Q&A session for local government officials on 18 August.
Need to keep pace
“Pioneering local authorities have already been incorporating digital into their engagement plans, but it is not yet standard practice and national guidance has not kept pace with technological developments,” MHCLG said.
“Through the fund activities and projects supported, MHCLG will work with local authorities to establish best practice and scope requirements for digital engagement guidance.”
The ministry already provides backing for new uses of digital technology in local services through its Local Digital Fund.
Image from GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0
