Agenda item

The Chairman welcomed Justin Leese, UK Gigabit Programme Director - Building Digital UK, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Digital Connectivity Champion, and Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of the Centre for Cities. He then invited Justin to introduce the update.

Justin introduced the report and the separate confidential briefing which provided members with an update on the government’s downgrading of its gigabit-broadband-for-all target. He referred specifically to the current policy position, market investment the engagement work that continued to take place and existing and upcoming projects/interventions.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne provided a brief update in relation to the timelines for the new rollout, local intelligence to form responses to the spending review and project funding. He referred to a recent meeting with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and confirmed that workshops would be held by the DCMS focusing on access to land and relieving tensions between local governments and providers. He reassured Members that there would be a local government voice at the workshops.

Members made the following comments:

• With regards to rural broadband, it would be more economical and efficient for incoming broadband providers if Councils be funded to put multi-channel ducting into roadside verges.
• I have some concerns with regards to the reduction in targets. We need to emphasise the increase in broadband use, especially during lockdown and because of the COVID-19 pandemic. How can we put more pressure on companies to ensure that we are delivering better and more comprehensive broadband at a higher level?
• Should the LGA recommend that all new or refurbished car parks should incorporate ducting to carry the cables for car charging so that when it becomes necessary, it can be installed without major building works?
• Broadband supply feels very different in smaller suppliers prepared to commit capital; it seems as though suppliers will tend to the easier jobs first. Government need to use influence on providers to make them accountable, fair, and equitable.
• The voucher scheme could be risky, some providers are taking advantage of the scheme and sending bills to customers.
• Suppliers must provide broadband using the ‘outside in’ process, because many rural communities are still waiting for sufficient broadband, with people working from home more due to COVID-19 and parents home schooling their children, a good broadband connection is very important.
• Cross-border issues are very significant, and some are very rural. How do you join it up and what duty do you have to make sure we have an equitable cross-border?
• The commercial sector needs to be on same timeline as government.

Justin, Andrew and Cllr Hawthorne responded to the comments made by members:

• We have various projects and pilots running on the strategic road network, we’re building duct infrastructure with some fibre but there is capacity for more fibre, we’ve added to the existing duct network and that’s been put into co-operative ownership. We’re working with the Department for Transport (DfT) and network rail to deploy a fibre cable from Manchester to York which is being opened for wholesale access.
• With regards to policy, it is now is entirely megabit focused and the infrastructure in place must be capable of delivering the megabits.

• In relation to our targets, the target is at least 85%. We will be prioritising individuals who do not have Superfast broadband yet.
• There are lots of providers joining the Superfast programme. We are regularly reviewing structures and looking at suppliers’ contribution as well as our own.
• In relation to cross-border delivery, the Superfast programme had a very hard definition around local authority areas. For the new programme, we’ll look more closely at hard to reach areas and find out about paying for services and combining areas to provide a more attractive offer.

Decision:

Members noted the report and the information contained within the confidential briefing.

Actions:

Cllr Mark Hawthorne to report back to a future meeting of the People and Places Board in relation to the outcome of the DCMS workshops.

Officers to send Justin’s details to Cllr Martin Tett as he had to attend another meeting during this item.

Justin to report back to a future meeting of the People and Places Board in the next few months re a progress report.

Officers to note the comments/concerns raised by members.