Meeting documents

SSDC District Executive
Thursday, 6th November, 2014 9.30 am

  • Meeting of District Executive, Thursday 6th November 2014 9.30 am (Item 75.)

Decision:

 

RESOLVED:

That District Executive noted and agreed:-

 

1.

the initial assessment of different options available.

 

2.

that options could not be comprehensively considered and compared until the information requested of Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) was provided.

 

3.

that significant resource was required to comprehensively investigate options for capital investment in models of alternative provision.

 

4.

that clarification be sought from relevant sources, including Connecting Devon and Somerset, and reported to members, at the earliest opportunity as to whether the SSDC/EDDC element of the potential £22.75 million SEP funding could be redirected to an alternative provider outside of the Connecting Devon and Somerset Programme.

 

5.

that clarification be sought from relevant sources including Connecting Devon and Somerset, and reported to members on the original objectives of the BDUK project…was it to provide improved access for rural residents to Superfast Broadband, in recognition of the fact that such access is now seen as essential in modern domestic and business life, or was it also to support cheaper provision to SME’s in more urban areas? Members would also like to have the position on state aid to business clarified in relation to this point.

 

6.

that whatever decisions were taken corporately to address providing Superfast Broadband to ‘the final 10%’, there was a commitment to openness, transparency and accountability from all those involved and there would be no further use of Non-disclosure Agreements or similar.

 

7.

that a working group be established consisting of members and officers from both East Devon DC and South Somerset DC to consider the information provided by Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) and to report progress to the respective Cabinet and Executive Committees.

 

8.

that a submission be made to the House of Commons Committee on Environment Food and Rural Affairs by 19 November on the lack of effective communication and clarity of the broadband programme for rural areas and to alert the Committee to this Council’s concerns about the Connecting Devon and Somerset’s approach.

Reason:

To consider options available to SSDC for enhancing the delivery of broadband beyond the 90% covered by the Devon and Somerset Superfast Broadband Project (Connecting Devon and Somerset).

 

Minutes:

The Assistant Director (Economy) outlined the current position with regard to the delivery of superfast broadband by Connecting Devon and Somerset and he advised that SSDC officers had been invited to attend the open market review process on 20th November.  He said there was still an option for SSDC to decide to deliver the programme alone, however, there was a risk in doing this of duplication with another broadband programme.

During discussion the following points were made:-

·         It had been assumed that urban areas would be fully covered by the superfast broadband programme but it appeared they were not.

·         Providing a superfast broadband access point in rural communities was vital.

·         Giving priority to businesses should not be to the detriment of rural premises, including farms.

·         Economic Development officers from both SSDC and EDDC should be involved in the programme. 

At the conclusion of the debate, Members agreed the addition of the recommendations from the Scrutiny Task and Finish Group, the establishment of a working group made up of Councillors from both SSDC and EDDC and to make representations to the House of Commons Committee on Environment Food and Rural Affairs.

RESOLVED:

That District Executive noted and agreed:-

 

1.

the initial assessment of different options available.

 

2.

that options cannot be comprehensively considered and compared until the information requested of Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) is provided.

 

3.

that significant resource was required to comprehensively investigate options for capital investment in models of alternative provision.

 

4.

that clarification be sought from relevant sources, including Connecting Devon and Somerset, and reported to members, at the earliest opportunity as to whether the SSDC/EDDC element of the potential £22.75 million SEP funding could be redirected to an alternative provider outside of the Connecting Devon and Somerset Programme.

 

5.

that clarification be sought from relevant sources including Connecting Devon and Somerset, and reported to members on the original objectives of the BDUK project…was it to provide improved access for rural residents to Superfast Broadband, in recognition of the fact that such access is now seen as essential in modern domestic and business life, or was it also to support cheaper provision to SME’s in more urban areas? Members would also like to have the position on state aid to business clarified in relation to this point.

 

6.

that whatever decisions were taken corporately to address providing Superfast Broadband to ‘the final 10%’, there was a commitment to openness, transparency and accountability from all those involved and there would be no further use of Non-disclosure Agreements or similar.

 

7.

that a working group be established consisting of members and officers from both East Devon DC and South Somerset DC to consider the information provided by Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) and to report progress to the respective Cabinet and Executive Committees.

 

8.

that a submission be made to the House of Commons Committee on Environment Food and Rural Affairs by 19 November on the lack of effective communication and clarity of the broadband programme for rural areas and to alert the Committee to this Council’s concerns about the Connecting Devon and Somerset’s approach.

Reason:

To consider options available to SSDC for enhancing the delivery of broadband beyond the 90% covered by the Devon and Somerset Superfast Broadband Project (Connecting Devon and Somerset).

 

Supporting documents: