A NEW IT hub coming to the borough as part of a local authority partnership will provide boost.

Wigan Council signed a new long-term agreement with IT supplier Agilisys last month with the new facility announced as part of the local authority’s 2024/25 budget plans.

Speaking at the recent meeting of the full council, leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux MBE, revealed the new Agilisys Wigan Hub will create roles in the digital-technology sector.

The location of the hub will be confirmed in the coming months.

Councillor Nazia Rehman, cabinet portfolio holder for finance, resources and transformation, said: “Support for communities across Wigan Borough and creating opportunities was a big part of our partnership agreement with Agilisys and we’re delighted with the plans for a new Wigan hub.

“We have worked together for more than 10 years already and there is a strong track record of our teams joining forces to maximise community benefits.

“Underpinned by our community wealth building principles, grassroots projects have been helped - either financially or with practical support - and hundreds of apprenticeship courses have been provided.

“This new facility will create opportunities for many years to come in the rapidly growing AI and digital innovation sector.

“In addition to this, Wigan Council last year signed a civic university agreement, meaning pathways are in place to ensure our residents can gain the high value skills in digital through our partnership with Wigan and Leigh College and Edge Hill University.”

The two organisations have been working together since 2013 with the new agreement reviewing the partnership for a further decade.

It will see Agilisys provide all IT services across the council, helping with the priorities of Wigan Council’s digital transformation agenda.

Cllr Rehman added: “Ensuring we have state-of-the-art technology so that residents get the most out of their council services is vitally important.”

Andrew Mindenhall, chief executive officer at Agilisys, said: “We are delighted to continue to work in partnership with Wigan Council, and to be establishing a new hub location in Wigan, which will be a key location for our rapidly growing Generative AI and Digital business.”