Meeting documents

(a)  Public Speaking

To consider any requests for public speaking.

(b)  Petitions

            To consider the submission of two petitions, namely:-

(i)            Procedure for Petitions - Petition entitled "Superfast Broadband for Ridge"

To consider a report by the Head of Economy (attached).

(ii)           Procedure for Petitions – "Petition for Superfast Broadband for Pulham and surrounding areas".

To consider a report by the Head of Economy (attached).

Public Speaking

There were no public questions received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(1).

There were no public questions received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(2).

Petitions

There were two petitions submitted to the meeting in accordance with the County Council’s Petition Scheme.

Procedure for Petitions - Petition entitled "Superfast broadband for Ridge"

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Economy on the receipt of a petition containing 222 signatures asking for the provision of superfast broadband for the village of Ridge near Arne, Wareham. The report set out a series of options available to the Committee on how they might wish to respond to the petition.

Officer’s took the opportunity to confirm that the Superfast Dorset Programme aimed to deliver the most appropriate Superfast Broadband solution for communities, maximising benefits in a cost effective manner across the business and domestic community. Furthermore it was confirmed thatthe County Council was committed to pursuing all technical and funding solutions possible and every effort was being made to maximise what might be achieved. Officers reaffirmed what investment the County Council, in partnership with BT, were making in fulfilling their commitment to rolling out broadband. They took the opportunity to explain in detail the practicalities of delivering the project, technicalities that were being faced by BT in achieving this, the processes involved in how the Programme was to be implemented and arrangements for delivering the service. The basis on which the Programme was modelled was explained and what criteria it took into consideration. Officers fully understood the socio-economic benefits that connectivity brought and would do all that they could to enable this to be achieved. There was an acknowledgement that there was a need for influence to be brought to bear on BT to ensure that they were doing all that they could to achieve the maximum coverage possible.

The Committee then heard from the petitioner, Councillor Ray Scragg, who considered that the petition demonstrated the importance of superfast broadband to the settlement and that the success of businesses within the community depended on it. He expressed concern that little information had been made available on what the implementation plan for Ridge was or when connectivity might be achieved.

The provision of broadband was critical in being able to maintain the vibrant community which currently existed and would go some way to fostering increased economic growth. He was concerned that without the necessary connectivity, such vitality could not be sustained and the petition amply demonstrated the overwhelming business and educational needs of the village. He considered that connectivity was vital in maintaining an active and thriving community and its continued absence would be detrimental to this.

Officers understood the petitioner’s frustration by the lack of information available and agreed that every effort would be made to provide the necessary information as soon as practicable.

The Committee then took the opportunity to discuss the merits of the petition and agreed that, in principle, every effort should be made to facilitate the provision of Superfast Broadband throughout the County. They acknowledged that this was being demonstrated by the County Council’s continued commitment towards this and acknowledged that universal provision of Superfast Broadband was critical to the future economic and social prosperity of Dorset. As such, they considered that engagement in the search for solutions should be sought and that a meeting should be held between the petitioner and officers to determine the means by which this might be achieved. Additionally members asked for a better understanding of how BT/Superfast Dorset determined the viability of where services should be delivered and the mechanism for how this was done. Officers agreed to share what they could with the Committee to enable this better understanding and welcomed the opportunity to meet with the petitioner to discuss what solutions there might be. There was also a need to establish the level of take up as this was a critical factor in determining how successful any rollout would be.

Resolved

That the petition be noted and the petitioner informedthat a meeting would be arranged between officers and the petitioner to discuss how best to proceed with the request for Superfast Broadband at Ridge and what options were available in the delivery of this.

Reason for Decision

In order to comply with the County Council’s published scheme for responding to petitions and so as to enable local people to connect with local elected decision makers.

Procedure for Petitions - Petition for Superfast Broadband for Pulham and surrounding Areas

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Economy on the receipt of a petition containing 96 signatures asking for the provision of superfast broadband for the village of Pulham and the surrounding areas. The report set out a series of options available to the Committee on how they might wish to respond to the petition.

Officers took the opportunity to confirm that the Superfast Dorset Programme aimed to deliver the most appropriate Superfast Broadband solution for communities, maximising benefits in a cost effective manner across the business and domestic community. Furthermore, the County Council was committed to pursuing all technical and funding solutions possible and every effort was being made to maximise what might be achieved. Officers reaffirmed what investment the County Council, in partnership with BT, were making in fulfilling their commitment to rolling out broadband. They took the opportunity to explain in detail the practicalities of delivering the project, technicalities that were being faced by BT in achieving this, the processes involved in how the Programme was to be implemented and arrangements for delivering the service. The basis on which the Programme was modelled was explained and what criteria it took into consideration. Officers fully understood the socio-economic benefits that connectivity brought and would do all that they could to enable this to be achieved. There was a need to ensure that BT was doing all that it could to achieve the maximum coverage possible.

The Committee then heard from the petitioner, Mark Vye, who considered that the petition demonstrated the importance of Superfast Broadband to Pulham and that the success of businesses within the community depended on it. He circulated a series of diagrams and paperwork to the Committee so that they might have a better understanding of the issues which needed addressing. He too expressed concern that little information had been forthcoming from BT on what their plans were for implementation. He explained that the petition had the support of the local MP for North Dorset, Simon Hoare, and local County Councillor for Blackmore Vale, Pauline Batstone. He understood that the technologies used in and around Pulham did not necessarily meet the practical needs of the village and questioned the reasoning for this and how commercial viability was determined. He also considered that the indication that Pulham would be part of the coverage was misleading given that this had played a part in attracting enterprise to the village on the basis that their business needs would be met, only to find that this was not the case.  He appreciated that OpenReach was actively investigating how they might meet the needs of the petitioners.  

He considered that connectivity to Superfast Broadband was critical in benefitting those wishing to access the internet for business, educational and social purposes and so as to ensure that the village maintained its vitality. He felt that connectivity was vital in maintaining an active and thriving community and its continued absence would be detrimental to this.

Pauline Batstone, County Councillor for Blackmore Vale, was supportive of the petition in that improved connectivity would benefit the rural agricultural community of Pulham, home based businesses, local manufacturing businesses and other commercial activities, as well as meeting educational and social needs. She asked that alternative means of providing broadband to Pulham be investigated.

Officers explained that the map which Mr Vye referred to was known to be only indicative of where connectivity was proposed, with the precise detail of where connectivity was achievable being subject to variation, depending on the practicalities of its delivery. However they acknowledged that, at face value, the map created an impression of where coverage was proposed.

Officers then informed the Committee that progress was being made in what might be achievable in the vicinity and it was anticipated that Pulham would benefit from this. Furthermore alternative means of providing broadband were still being considered, including the part 4G/5G communications might play in this. Officers also reaffirmed their commitment to provide as much clarity as they were able to members and the public alike on when, where and how broadband was to be delivered and by what means.

The Committee then took the opportunity to discuss the merits of the petition and agreed that, in principle, every effort should be made to facilitate the provision of Superfast Broadband throughout the County. They acknowledged that this was being demonstrated by the County Council’s continued commitment towards this and considered that universal provision of Superfast Broadband was critical to the future economic and social prosperity of Dorset.

The Committee were pleased to learn that progress might well soon be made in what was able to be delivered to the village and considered that a meeting should be held between the petitioner and officers to determine how progress might be made and what opportunities there were for the village to gain access to Superfast Broadband as soon as practicable.

Resolved

That the petition be noted and the petitioner informed that a meeting be arranged between officers and the petitioner to discuss how best to proceed with the request for Superfast Broadband in Pulham and the surrounding areas and what options were available in the delivery of this.

Reason for Decision

In order to comply with the County Council’s published scheme for responding to petitions and so as to enable local people to connect with local elected decision makers.