HAMPSHIRE County Council is set to benefit from a £3million boost to invest in a digital strategy after it was awarded money from the Government.

The county is among 73 successful bidders to the Transformation Challenge Award, announced by the Minister for Local Government, Kris Hopkins.

The £89.4m fund aims to help improve the public services people receive and reduce the cost to taxpayers.

Hampshire’s £3.1m allocation is one of the largest sums of money awarded from the pot of cash.

The cash injection will help the county council to implement new ways of working digitally, to support the redesign and transformation of services around the needs of customers, so that they match people’s expectations in the 21st Century.

Hampshire County Council leader, Councillor Roy Perry, welcomed the announcement.

He said: “Like many other organisations, our systems and processes were formed before digital technology, and before the web existed.

"It is widely acknowledged that digitally mature businesses are proven to be more productive, efficient and responsive to customers, so the announcement that we have been successful in our bid for this crucial funding from Government is very welcome news indeed.

“It means we can now take forward plans which will enable us to use new digital technology to drive better services at lower cost, both across the county council and with our public service partners, including district councils, the police, fire service, health and schools.

“Indeed, our ambition is to develop a customer-centred digital service that will be an exemplar, regionally and nationally.”

Cllr Perry added: “We know that demand is growing for public services, and so are the expectations of our customers – but finances continue to be stretched, and by 2017, the county council alone, will need to have found another £100m in savings.

“By developing a new, modern, digital infrastructure we can reshape how we work, and create sustainable high-quality services for the future with our partners, whilst also contributing towards our next significant savings target.”