Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director, Resources - presented by the Head of ICT, Resources.

The Chairman introduced the Head of ICT Services, Resources, Phil Jackman who was in attendance to give an overview of the Digital Durham Programme (for copy see file of minutes).

The Head of ICT Services reminded Members that the aim of the Digital Durham Programme was to bring superfast broadband, speeds in excess of 24 megabits per second, to all the businesses, homes and communities across County Durham.  Members recalled that Durham County Council (DCC) was working with other Local Authorities in respect of this and, based upon the outcome of the procurement process, 96% of premises would have superfast access, the 2% representing 96%-98% coverage would have access to broadband at speeds of 10-15 megabits per second, with the remaining final 2% having access to broadband and speeds of around 2 megabits per second.  It was highlighted that this provision would be at current market rates with services being offered by retail Internet Service Providers, for example BT, Sky and Talk-Talk amongst others.

The Committee learned that the majority of provision would be via new fibre optic enabled cabinets, linked to existing copper cabinets that provide telephone services, known as fibre to the cabinet (FTTC).  It was added that there were 9 phases within the deployment plan commencing in April 2014 and ending in September 2016, however, the first fibre cabinet just off Durham City market place was made live and officially launched on 17 December 2013, ahead of schedule.  It was noted that this highlighted that it was not just rural areas that required works to enable superfast broadband and that many semi-urban areas also needed improvements.

The Head of ICT Services explained that it was through “Digital Inclusion” that the benefits of superfast broadband would be delivered, with activities to maximise the take up of the services, such as working with individual Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) as local cabinets were brought into use.  Members noted that there could be scope for a small “claw back” of some funds, and that the Digital Durham Programme was a member of “Go On North East”.  Councillors noted that digital inclusion training had begun with DCC staff from Neighbourhood Services; the Programme was working with Business Durham in respect of business engagement and the take up of services on business parks; and there was ongoing work with Town Centre Managers to highlight regeneration opportunities presented by superfast broadband.

The Committee noted the bid to the Rural Community Broadband Fund for additional funding for Teesdale and Weardale, the final application to be with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) by 28 February 2014.  Councillors learned that the Programme had submitted a digital inclusion project as part of the new European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme 2014-2020 and that this would be aligned with other potential ERDF funded projects.  The Head of ICT Services concluded by noting that there was £250 Million yet to be allocated via Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK)/Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and while it was likely that this would be allocated to those areas in the county to move from 90% to 95% provision, there may be scope to access some of the funding to help with any premises that still had poor broadband provision, guidance to be provided from Government in due course.

The Chairman thanked the Head of ICT Services and asked Members for their questions on the report, noting a Co-opted Member from the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, Mr D Kinch had a question as regards this item.

Mr D Kinch thanked the Chairman and asked whether the application to DEFRA was the same application that had been submitted last September, 2013.  The Head of ICT Services noted that there had been several applications to DEFRA and that Officers were working hard to try and progress the issue.  It was noted that should there be no progress via DEFRA, then there would be alternative plans drawn up to work without DEFRA.  Mr D Kinch noted that Government had said that there was £10 Million available for rural broadband provision.  The Head of ICT Services noted that the funds mentioned were for “alternative” technology for connecting to internet services and not for rural areas as such, and in any event, it was unlikely that those alternative technologies would be appropriate and unlikely that the areas in question would be eligible to access those funds.

Councillor A Hopgood highlighted that issues with broadband speed and internet connectivity were not just rural issues and asked what pressures could be put on British Telecom in relation to connectivity at Newton Hall.  The Head of ICT Services acknowledged the issue of broadband speed was not just a rural issue and explained that the aim for the project was 100% connectivity countywide.  It was added that some areas, such as Newton Hall, were in what were previously designated as within BT’s commercial roll out and were not eligible for state aid, albeit those areas were being addressed in respect of improving broadband speed.  Councillors asked what works were required subsequent to cabinet surveys.  The Head of ICT Services noted that as cabinets were coming into service, local Councils would be involved as appropriate and that surveys had only shown 1 cabinet that was not taken forward, due to prohibitive cost, and that cabinets generally required some civil works mainly in respect of connection to the electricity grid.

Resolved:

(i)       That the report be noted.

(ii)      That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee receive a further progress report on the development of the Digital Durham Programme at a future meeting of the Committee.