Agenda item

(CPP1,2/CPT2,5,6,7,9,10,11,12,13,14,15)

Purpose:  To seek approval for the Council being a part of the Superfast Broadband initiative across Berkshire.

Resolved that West Berkshire Council’s financial commitment to this programme be underwritten, subject to:

§         securing at least £230k of investment from West Berkshire Parishes and Businesses

§         securing necessary investment from other Berkshire unitaries.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 23 December 2011, then it will be implemented.

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 16) which provided an overview of the Superfast Berkshire initiative and how it would be funded and delivered. Appendices A and B to the report were exempt and were considered as part of the confidential information in Part II of the agenda.

Councillor David Betts was pleased to report that the Council was taking the lead on behalf of the Local Enterprise Partnership in bringing improvements to broadband coverage, which was a key social and economic opportunity for Berkshire.

Berkshire had been allocated £1.43 million by Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK). In order to receive this funding, the Berkshire unitary authorities would need to match fund this figure. Should this be achieved then Berkshire could expect to secure an additional £2.86 million from communications providers and this would achieve the total required budget.

West Berkshire Council’s contribution was £456k over three financial years (2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15). £225k of this funding was already committed from the Council’s Capital Programme, leaving £231k to be found for the three year period. It was hoped that this investment could be achieved from local communities and local businesses, alongside investment from the other Berkshire Unitaries.

Approval of the recommended actions would help to fill the existing market gap. It would enable the delivery of superfast broadband to 90% of premises across Berkshire which would be of particular benefit to small rural communities. The remaining 10% would receive a standard level of coverage.

Councillor Alan Law raised a question on behalf of parishes as to what would happen in the event that a parish was unable to make their contribution in part or in full – would the project only be rolled out to those who were able to contribute? Councillor Betts responded by saying that there had already been strong support from the parishes with some already confirming that they would be making a contribution. He was confident that the funding gap could be met.

Councillor Paul Bryant queried what monitoring arrangements were in place to ensure that the work was conducted by the appointed contractor. Councillor Betts explained that this was a national scheme with investment from Government and the appointed contractor. As a result the appointed contractor would be committed to the project. However, monitoring would still take place.

Councillor Stansfeld questioned the security of the system being installed following the loss of broadband experienced in Kintbury. Councillor Betts advised that copper wiring would not be used and would instead be delivered by the use of fibre optic cables.

RESOLVED that West Berkshire Council’s financial commitment to this programme would be underwritten, subject to:

·        securing at least £230k of investment from West Berkshire Parishes and businesses; and

·        securing necessary investment from other Berkshire Unitaries.

Reason for the decision: Improving broadband across Berkshire represents a key social and economic development opportunity for all of the Berkshire Unitaries. By securing a £1.43 million contribution to the programme across Berkshire we could expect an inward investment of £4.29 million from Government grant funding and communications provider investment. (Total improvement budget £5.72 million).

Other options considered: Decline the BDUK grant and leave broadband improvement to normal market forces.