Virtual District initiative receives major partnership boost

Ambitious plans to create The Virtual District of Stratford-on-Avon have received a major boost with the launch of a unique new partnership between the public, private and voluntary sectors to deliver the £10m initiative by 2012.  

The Virtual District will "harness the power of existing and new technologies to transform local services, increase public involvement in service delivery, attack rural exclusion and isolation, enable independent living and create new opportunities for learning and knowledge", said its Chairman, Coun. Trevor Russel, the district council's Deputy Leader.  

The Partnership comprises the district and county councils, police, health authorities, Advantage West Midlands, Council for Voluntary Service, Stratford District Partnership and British Telecom. Supporters are the RSC, South Warwickshire Tourism, South Warwickshire Business Partnership and Warwickshire Direct Partnership.  

The Partnership is pursuing a number of funding opportunities, including the EU.  

Coun. Russel said: "With the commitment and involvement of every key partner in all three sectors, the partnership is unique for this District - and will take forward the most important initiative ever launched within this District.  

"When in place in 2012, the Virtual District will signal a revolution in the way the partners are working together to deliver their services and in the way people can access them. By bringing services to everyone's fingertips, anytime anywhere, it will transform the quality of life of every resident, every worker and every visitor."