Agenda item

On 5 June, the Committee had received a report setting out issues affecting the extent and quality of superfast broadband services across the District. The report had also detailed initiatives in place to address such issues and had set out possible actions that the Council could take to support communities in need of improved broadband services. 

At that meeting the Committee determined a number of actions to be progressed.  The report for consideration therefore provided Members with an updated position since matters were last reported including information on the proposal to appoint a Community Broadband Officer, On-Lincolnshire Developments, updates on known issues across the District and work undertaken with the recently established Community Broadband Group.

Debate ensued and the Committee as a whole fully supported the proposals and the use of resources.  Broadband was considered a vital resource in today’s world and it was important that businesses and students alike across the District had equal access and opportunity to compete and be successful.

The Committee urged Officers to continue with their lobbying and expressed disappointment at the BDUK rollout position, noting that it was in fact tax payers money that was being used.

At the request of a Committee Member, the Director of Resources outlined the impact the Council’s relationship with Quickline had previously had on the rollout.  However it was stressed that the original determination had now been over ruled and West Lindsey would be included in phase 3 although the extent of the coverage was still to be determined.  The Director of Resources outlined value for money concerns which had been expressed by the Partnership with regards to the latest model. This was primarily as a result of the Government’s changed stance of “fibre to the premise” as opposed to the cabinet.

The creation of Community Broadband Groups and community involvement was seen as a way to help demonstrate demand and in turn secure funding and would be a key tool in moving forward.

Broadband capability had recently been raised at a post-Brexit meeting and it had been acknowledged it would be a critical service if the UK as a whole was to succeed internationally.  Having heard how the Government’s national coverage statistics were calculated, meaning localised areas could be “hidden”, all Members were of the view that the District needed to make as much noise as possible, from as many angles as possible regarding its lack of coverage in places.

In response to Members’ questions Officers outlined the proposed Officer’s role which would include helping communities facilitate access to services, investigating funding opportunities and again facilitating access to these, understanding 5G capability and its uses, educating communities regarding their options and to assist the Council in its lobbying efforts.  This would be a fixed term contract, with Members noting that the terms and conditions associated to the post were the same as any other post. Whilst the other Districts had not expressed an interest to share this role to date, the opportunity would be raised again at future stakeholder meetings.

In light of the recent issues experienced by two communities within the District, Members questioned whether there were further steps the Authority could take to ensure broadband connectivity was secured at development stage, for example with planning conditions.  The Executive Director of Operations advised there were limitations on the requirements which could be placed on a developer and suggested such a requirement, if challenged, would not pass the proportionate test.

RESOLVED that:

(a)       the budget and formal recruitment process, to appoint to the post of    Community Broadband Officer, be supported; and

(b)       the Council’s on-going commitment to providing support for communities suffering from poor broadband services be supported.

Note:         Prior to consideration of the next item of business, Councillor Gillian Bardsley declared a pecuniary interest in respect of the report and agenda item 6d (Selective Licensing 12 Month Review) as she was a landlord with property in the South West Ward. Councillor Gillian Bardsley then withdrew from the Chamber.