Issue - decisions

(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..