Agenda item

This report recommends that the Council begins preliminary work on a Local Broadband Plan with South Gloucestershire and Bristol City Councils, in order to further investigate the costs and benefits of applying for available Government funding for improved broadband infrastructure where the private sector is not delivering

James Weeks made a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 7 and on the Council's website] in which he appealed to Cabinet to fund a superfast broadband project in the area.

Councillor John Bull made an ad hoc statement emphasising the danger that the authority would be left behind by neighbouring authorities.  He pointed out that large numbers of small businesses, who work from home, would depend increasingly on superfast broadband provision.  He asked Cabinet to consider what they would do for those in the area who were not trained or could not afford to pay for broadband.

Councillor Neil Butters made an ad hoc statement in favour of spending a modest amount on a feasibility study.

Peter Duppa-Miller made an ad hoc statement strongly supportive of an urgent start on the proposed project.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones in an ad hoc statement observed that without the proposed investment, the area would achieve only 65% coverage.  He felt that the funds would be well spent and would improve the rural economy.

David Banfield (Claverton Parish Council) in an ad hoc statement appealed to Cabinet to invest in the broadband infrastructure, and emphasised the importance of homeworking to the local economy.

Councillor Cherry Beath introduced the item by pointing out that government was not, in fact, offering match funding - the Council would have to invest £1.2M to get £670K of government funds; nationally, there had been only 5% take up of superfast broadband; BT had said they would roll out superfast broadband by 2014; and there was no guarantee that any Council investment would become operational before it was overtaken by private provision.  Councillor Beath referred to her amended proposals (displayed on the screen), which she explained were not the same as those which had been recommended in the report.

Councillor David Bellotti seconded the proposal.  He felt that even if Cabinet were to agree the investment, pockets of the community amounting to 10-15% would still be left out.  The Council could not continue to borrow, even for good causes.  He felt that the preconditions laid down by government for the funding had made it unattractive to Bath and NE Somerset.

Councillor Bellotti explained that the report being proposed would answer questions which had not been fully addressed in the existing report.

Councillor David Dixon said that the figures did not appear to be advantageous to the Council.  He observed that not many businesses actually needed superfast speeds, and in any case the price of satellite packages was already falling.

Councillor Nathan Hartley recognised that everyone would like to have superfast broadband, but the cost would be over £1M and he felt that it was important to concentrate funds on front line services.

Councillor Simon Allen said that, with the technology moving ahead so quickly, any large investment in existing technology would not be well spent.

Councillor Cherry Beath in summing up, reassured the speakers that the Cabinet wanted to address inequality; and that the study would identify how and where this should be done.

On a motion from Councillor Cherry Beath, seconded by Councillor David Bellotti, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To NOTE:

·  That there are many advantages to the local economy and to individuals to bring Broadband to as many residents and businesses as possible. The private sector will bring superfast broadband to 56% of our residents by 2015.

·  That the Government is offering funds to support the development of superfast broadband of £670K. The Council would need to contribute £1.045M, making a Government Grant of 39%.

·  That the project would bring superfast broadband to around 29%  to 34% of premises and dwellings, but a significant number of those dwellings do not have Computers, so the number benefitting is likely to be much less.

·  That the current national take up of Superfast broadband from those to whom it is enabled is only around 5%. For some of our residents with computers and internet access, superfast speed may not be a concern.

·  That 10% to 15% of premises in our area would still not be reached and therefore not benefit from the expenditure.

·  That the Council cost of £1.045M would add to our borrowing and to our revenue costs (around £50,000 per annum) in future years to support the borrowing.

(2) NOT to prepare a joint plan with Bristol and South Glos under the terms of the Government Broadband UK offer;

(3) To ALLOCATE £25,000 of funding from Development and Regeneration reserves, with a brief to be agreed by Cabinet, to identify how internet access can be brought to as many of our residents as possible. This would include investigating the development of Community opportunities in our villages and rural areas.