BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council has further embraced growing technologies which are at residents’ disposal.

At a full council meeting on May 18, leader of the borough council, Cllr Clive Sanders announced a new cabinet member would be taking a focused approach to emerging technologies.

Cllr Hannah Golding joins the cabinet as the member for digital innovation and inclusion.

Cllr Golding will take responsibility for making Basingstoke and Deane a ‘smart borough’ using technology to enhance resident, business and visitor experiences and working in partnership to ensure communities can access services and help online.

Her portfolio also covers benefits, disabled facilities grants and diversity and inclusion.

She was first elected to the borough council, representing Brighton Hill North, in 2015.

On her appointment to cabinet, Cllr Sanders said: “We welcome Cllr Hannah Golding, taking on a vital new cross-cutting role to ensure that as a borough we are taking full advantage of potential benefits of new and emerging technologies for our residents and businesses.

“At this key stage in the development of new and emerging technologies, such as open source data and 5G, it is vital that we encourage initiatives with local businesses and partner organisations to make the borough a leading innovator in the creation of 21st Century Britain.”

Having grown up in Basingstoke and taken her A-levels at Queen Mary’s College, Cllr Golding studied occupational therapy at Southampton University.

She has worked as an occupational therapist in the NHS and the specialist education sector.

Following her interest in technology, her career has expanded into working part time as an IT project manager, where she gained experience of developing and implementing IT systems across a large organisation.

She said: “I am delighted to have been asked to take on responsibility for digital innovation and inclusion for Basingstoke and Deane.

“This is an exciting opportunity to develop the use of cutting-edge technology in order to improve the lives of residents across the borough.”

She added: “As an occupational therapist, I am passionate about ensuring all residents can thrive in our borough and I look forward to working with the community organisations and council officers who make that possible.”

In his sixth year as leader, Cllr Sanders announced his cabinet would remain the same as last year, with the addition of Cllr Golding.