Agenda item

(i)        Joint Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships and the Corporate Director of Resources.

(ii)       Presentation by the Head of ICT, Resources.

The Chairman introduced the Head of ICT, Resources, Phil Jackman, who was in attendance to give an update as regards Digital Durham and related projects (for copy see file of minutes).

The Head of ICT reminded Members of the objective of having 100% of the County connected to superfast broadband and to ensure that Durham was at the forefront of digital connectivity, including fixed line broadband, wireless and mobile.  It was added that the future economy would require some degree of connectivity and that there would need to be ubiquitous coverage to enable quality and consistent access to learning, healthcare, public services, entertainment and employment.

Members noted that in terms of Digital Durham, this was part of the work across 10 Local Authorities, through a number of phased contracts.  It was added that Contract One represented 490 structures and 105,000 houses being 94% of premises within the contract area, and 96% within County Durham.  It was explained that a take up in excess of 31% was encouraging.  Members learned that Contract Two represented 200 structures and 28,000 premises with projected coverage of 97% in the contract areas and giving 98% for County Durham.

The Head of ICT noted that in terms of mobile, the Council were working with Vodafone as our supplier to then look at issues of 3G and 4G coverage within the County. 

Members learned that the North East Combined Authority (NECA) and Nexus were working with the 5G consortium on developing a massive test bed and also there was a bid in terms of the £26 million National Infrastructure Commission’s “Connected Future”.

The Committee noted that the work already undertaken would still leave around 5,000 premises without access to superfast broadband and that current plans may not be able to deliver for those premises. 

Members noted this could be an area they could help with looking to generate community interest that could lead to fibre being used to provide a “village pump” in terms of connectivity.

The Head of ICT explained he was the Lead at NECA in terms of the Digital Skills Initiative and a Board Member of Dynamo North East.  He added that skills development was a key objective in being able to ensure Durham had a skilled populace that was able to take the opportunities presented by digital technologies.  The Committee learned as regards activities such as the ICT Apprentice Hub, encouraging young people to get into the technology sector and also the NECA Digital Skills Initiative in terms of providing the opportunity for learning, with over 40% of the 150 different initiatives identified being available in County Durham.  Members noted related events included a “Hackathon” held at Durham University which generated 10 ideas that could be taken forward.

Councillors noted that they could help by “talking up tech”, helping young people, especially girls to understand the opportunities within the technology sector.  It was added this could be within their role as Elected Members as well as other roles such as School Governors.  The Head of ICT noted the increasing popularity of initiatives such as coding and “maker” clubs and that supporting these could only help to generated interest in technology as a future career for young people.  Members appreciated that apprenticeships were an effective method of helping young people into employment and that the encouragement of such apprenticeships in technology roles was important, noting 10 such apprenticeships within ICT at the Council.  Members noted a scheme to “loan apprentices out” to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling SMEs to benefit from an apprentice with the Authority taking them on in the first instance.

The Head of ICT noted that there was great value in data, and that Authority itself generated and collected a great deal of useful data.  It was added that there was an objective to ensure that Durham was a lead player in terms of “open data” and that there could be opportunities to use the data the Council had to create new products, new services and new value. 

Members noted that to be able to mine the data and realise the value, the data would need to be released into the market.  Councillors noted information relating to: an open data project, with 35 data sets live on Data Mill North, with support from the Federation of Small Business (FSB), the Durham Business Improvement District (BID) and the Digital and Satellite Catapults, and the previously mentioned “Hackathon” event having utilised these data sets. 

Councillors noted the NECA Digital Leads Group was looking to map all data initiatives and also “internet of things” IoT initiatives across the region.  Members noted projects at an early stage included the “Smart City” in Durham and also the Smart Stanley project, with a website and provision of wifi connectivity on the Front Street.

The Head of ICT concluded by noting that there was a number of ways Members could help in terms of open data and understanding the value of the data the Council has and in encouraging young people as regards the value of developing skills to work with data as a great many jobs will be created within this area.

The Chairman thanked the Head of ICT and asked Members for any questions.

Councillor A Patterson noted and welcomed the Smart Stanley project and asked as regards wider rolling out of wifi provision in public spaces.  The Head of ICT noted several activities in terms of wifi provision, with moves for provision within Council buildings and added that if any Member had a specific project in mind to speak to him to see what may be possible.

The Chairman noted the 5,000 premises that were not likely to gain broadband via the Phase 1 and 2 contracts and asked how those people could be reached.  The Head of ICT explained that for BT Openreach, the supplier, some smaller schemes would not be commercially viable and therefore there was a need to look at other solutions, as mentioned for an area to decide upon a place where fibre connectivity could be provided to, and also as regards the existing voucher scheme, though with a need to coalesce the demand for this scheme.

Councillor J Armstrong noted issues in terms of rural areas, the Head of ICT noted he, or a member of the Digital Durham team would be more than happy to speak to any groups wishing to learn as regards what options may be available.

Councillor O Temple noted that issues of connectivity were not confined to rural areas, citing a specific example in his Division, within the middle of Consett where a number of houses within a modern estate were unable to access superfast broadband, with the relevant cabinet or box being “full”.  Councillor J Clare added he had similar experiences in his area, with the “cards” within those cabinets being full and BT Openreach not being able to provide further connections.  Councillor J Clare asked how many cabinets were “full” and were there options other than BT Openreach, for example if another provider such as Virgin decided to supply services in an area.  The Head of ICT noted that it was an enormously complex project and reiterated that the aim was for 100% coverage in County Durham.  Councillors noted 14 full cabinets and Members were reminded of the take up that was required for a return upon investment, 20% and that the scheme had reached 32% equating to £1.5 million back on investment.  The Head of ICT noted Members could speak to him as regards individual cases and he could then look to follow these matters up.  The Head of ICT noted he would welcome any additional provision that could come from other commercial companies, such as Virgin mentioned by Members.

Councillor J Armstrong welcomed the information as regards open data, however asked if there had been discussions with the Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner (PCVC), noting the issue of cybercrime.  The Head of ICT noted there were a number of groups looking at the issue, including via the NECA and Soctim North East, with representation from the Police and Sunderland University. 

It was explained that cybercrime and cyber security were taken very seriously and the Head of ICT would be happy to give further information as appropriate.

Resolved:   

That the report and presentation be noted.