Agenda item

Digital Durham Programme and Related Projects

(i)            Report of the Corporate Director of Resources.

(ii)          Presentation by the Strategic Manager, Applications and Infrastructure, Resources.

 

 

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure, Steve Hodgson who was in attendance to give an update as regards the Digital Durham Programme and related projects (for copy see file of minutes).

 

The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted the objective of Digital Durham was “to ensure that Durham is at the forefront of digital connectivity, including fixed line broadband, wireless and mobile”.  It was explained that in the future: all forms of economic activity would require some form of connectivity; businesses would be technology led; ubiquitous coverage would be required to enable consistent high quality access to public services, learning, employment, healthcare, data and entertainment; and there would be an expectation that services would be available at any time and from any location.

 

 

 

 

The Committee were informed as regards what work was ongoing in terms of Digital Durham, the partnership between ten Local Authorities, with Contract One delivering 504 structures, with 105,000 properties having fibre-based connections, 89,000 being superfast, with a take up of 44%.  It was noted Contract Two would deliver 220 structures to be delivered by September 2018, 162 completed to date.  It was added that this would represent 28,000 properties with a fibre-based connection, 25,000 being superfast.  It was projected that there would be 97% coverage over the programme area, with 98% in Durham.  Members noted there was planning ongoing in terms of future phases. 

 

The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure explained as regards work ongoing in terms of wireless and mobile broadband and the support for business at business centres such as Consett, Tanfield, NETPark and companies such as Atom Bank, Waterstons, and housing organisations including the County Durham Housing Group, Chapter Homes and Karbon Homes.

 

It was explained that Councillors could help in terms of issues such as provision of services in the less cost-effective locations, such as rural areas, and the Local Full Fibre Network Programme.  The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted that in some cases political pressure can help to make developers and providers meet their obligations in terms of broadband provision, citing examples within the County.

 

Councillors noted the importance of digital skills, “to ensure that Durham has a skilled populace that is able to take the opportunities presented by digital technologies”, and the North East Combined Authority (NECA) digital skills initiative included 150 different initiatives and opportunities for learning being identified, with over 40% being within Durham.  Members noted the importance of developing underrepresented areas, for example through “Women in Tech”, and supporting young people via the apprenticeship levy.  Members noted events such as Dynamo North East and Hackathons, engaging with our regional Universities.

 

The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted another important area was Open Data, with an objective “to ensure that Durham is a lead player in the drive for open data”.  It was explained to Members that there was a huge value in the data created by organisations and the Council had vast quantities of data that could be used to create new products, services and new value.  Members noted there would be a need to gather data appropriately and store it securely, share our data, and to also use data provided by other organisations.  The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure explained in terms of the Open Data project there were 35 data sets live on “Data Mill North”, with over 400 in total. Organisations that were worked with included: the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Durham BID, Business Durham and the Digital and Satellite Catapults.  It was noted the NECA Digital Leads Group were looking to map all data and “internet of things” initiatives across the region.

 

The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure concluded by noting: the access to technology and digital services was important to sustainable economic development; the Council and partners were investing resources in infrastructure, skills and data; the Council and partners were working locally, regionally, nationally and internationally; and the Council was developing a new Digital Strategy.

 

The Chairman thanked the Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure and asked Members for their questions and comments.

 

Councillor J Clare noted that he felt it was a must to have broadband connectivity seen as an essential service at the planning phase, similar to water and electricity supplies, and looked to the new National Planning Policy Framework as regards this.  He added he was very interested in public wifi, especially for his area, namely Newton Aycliffe and asked what he would need to do, and indeed other Councillors, to secure this for our town centres. 

 

The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted his team was the point of contact as regards this and noted the provision could be provided via radio transmitters hung from buildings, citing Barnard Castle as an example.  He explained there could be various options in terms of what could be accessed via any service provided by the Council, however, the issue would be where the money would come from whether a development programme, Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) or Government funding.  Councillor J Clare asked for an estimate in terms of costs, for example at Barnard Castle as described.  The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted approximately £300 per year, per access point, and the cost of any maintenance.  He added that there were advantages to this method as it did not require roads to be dug up, and the technology was improving.

 

The Chairman asked why Stanley had received such wifi while other town centres had not.  The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted that there was some work undertaken by his team in terms of scoping for wifi provision in Stanley however there was no installation and noted that he could provide additional information in relation to the cost of wifi provision.

 

Councillor E Adam noted a lot of good work, though focused in our town centres.  He noted, linking to the previous item from VCD and our rural economy, the need for broadband provision, however, there seemed to be a lack of impetus and many businesses need such provision in order to develop.  Councillor E Adam noted on page 31 the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and asked what impact there was in terms of delivering broadband speeds in our rural communities.  The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted this was an issue and reminded Members that Digital Durham was a Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport funded programme and focused on the most coverage for the lowest costs and achieving value for money.  He added the provision in rural areas was more costly and the last 2% may struggle to be fulfilled.  The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure reiterated that there was a bid for RDPE funding and to focus on gain share in rural areas, and added that the programme should have started with hard to reach areas first as the providers would have done the installation in the easier to reach areas.  He noted that for Phase 3 it may be possible to develop our own procurement, noting provision in Forrest-in-Teesdale.  The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted a need for prioritisation of rural areas and that Members’ support in this regards would be important.

 

 

 

 

Councillor L Maddison asked how new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was being managed in relation to the work of Digital Durham.  The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted that in terms of policy for the Council, this was being dealt with by Corporate Communications, and in terms of ICT this was being dealt with by the Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure.  He added it was a hot topic across the Authority with a lot of training and a working group established to steer the authority through the various requirements.  Councillor L Maddison asked if the Authority was on target for day one, the Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted this was the case.

 

Councillor T Henderson noted a recent site visit to Barnard Castle and noted that an issue raised was IT issues and broadband connectivity, with some part of the town not getting any service.  He asked how could the provision be extended in the south and west.  The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted Digital Durham worked in relation to the provision of superfast broadband.  He reiterated that rural geographies were difficult in terms of provision, with service providers looking for value for money and return on their investment. 

 

The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted that perhaps if there was a groundswell of opinion, and a large number of requests, this may help the case for such provision in those areas.  Councillor T Henderson thanked the Officer and asked for further information, the Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted he would be more than happy to speak to Members as regards any issues in their local areas and can do a survey providing an analysis of where services are needed.

 

The Chairman noted the Council had plans to relocate County Hall and also look to embrace new ways of working, utilising home-working where appropriate and noted that it was important that there was good broadband connectivity for all to help enable this, including other businesses, and for children being able to access and complete homework online.  The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted that the ability for Council employees to access services remotely had been tested during the recent extreme weather and work was being undertaken to boost the capacity.

 

Councillor P Howell noted that businesses in Barnard Castle had noted challenges in terms of being able to maximise opportunities such as developing an “app” for the town without the necessary connectivity and asked if there was anywhere we could refer people to in order to understand timescales in terms of the roll out of broadband provision.  He cited other examples at Newton Aycliffe and the new business park and associated housing developments across the County.  The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted there was forward planning, however, within contracts it was stipulated that they could only be disclosed 2 months ahead of roll out.  He added once disclosed then there would be the usual stickers placed on the telephone boxes, posters and leaflets distributed in order to stimulate demand in the area.  The Chairman noted the Committee felt that the non-disclosure was unhelpful and asked that this was fed back.

 

Councillor J Atkinson noted that the money saved by having good broadband provision was significant and that the technology was required to support the economy in the longer term.

 

Mr T Batson noted that it may also be preferable to have fibre provided to businesses, not simply fibre to the “green boxes”.  The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted there were many factors in terms of broadband provision and speed, with issues of contention, congestion and increasing capacity in the background.

 

Councillor L Maddison noted 5G provision and asked if such technology required a separate telecommunications mast.  The Strategic Manager – Applications and Infrastructure noted that 5G would provide higher capacity, though operated over shorter distances and therefore this would require additional masts.

 

Resolved:    

 

That the report and presentation be noted.

 

Supporting documents: