Issue - meetings

          The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration, and Skills and the Board Director, Resources submitted a joint report concerning the Council’s participation in the Superfast Broadband Extension Programme operated by the Government agency Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), and on the outcome of an open procurement process undertaken to identify the best value for money solution that would secure the greatest possible Superfast Broadband coverage across the Borough within the funding available (Cabinet Minute 8, 2014/15 refers).

          Councillor Garry Perkins, Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration, and Skills, presented the report and referred to the procurement process that had been adopted and the analysis that had been undertaken in respect of the solution put forward. He commented on the coverage that would be available and the significant benefits of this to local communities and the economy, particularly, for the more rural areas of the Borough. He noted how savings to the Council, in terms of its level of contribution, would release funds to identify solutions for those estimated 600 properties that would remain without Superfast Broadband.

          Councillor Fionuala Foley, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, referred to how the proposal would provide Superfast Broadband to those areas, many of them rural, where such a network was not currently commercially viable.   Councillor Foley drew attention to the joint report’s appendices that clearly illustrated those places that would benefit. She reiterated the comments made by residents of Chiseldon at the Cabinet Open Forum held prior to the Cabinet meeting, on the benefits for those residents and businesses that were involved in a trial Superfast Broadband scheme undertaken by UK Broadband.

Councillor Stan Pajak, Leader of the Council’s Minority Group, supported the intent behind the report and stressed the importance of Superfast Broadband for local residents and businesses. He sought clarification about the parent company involved, Hong Kong Telecoms (HKT).

          Councillor Perkins explained that UKBroadband (UKBD) was a subsidiary of HKT that had operated in the UK for over a decade.  A new “sister company” had been established to deliver Superfast Broadband on a commercial basis called UKB Networks. He referred to the open tender process that had been followed in which thirteen companies had made initial enquiries, although only one had eventually submitted a formal tender. This bid had been the subject of robust scrutiny and it was believed offered a viable solution to the delivery of Superfast Broadband.

          Councillor Des Moffatt referred to the contents of the report and noted that the proposal and the approach to its approval was different from that involving Digital City UK Ltd. However, he was sure other Councillors also had concerns regarding the detail of the proposal and he suggested that a briefing for all Councillors should be arranged so that they could have a better understanding of all the issues prior to any signing of contracts.

Councillor Perkins advised that he would be happy to arrange for such a briefing to be held.

Councillor Steve Wakefield expressed his reservations regarding the proposal and its technical solution.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72