Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2023 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any updates from the Chairman of the Place and Resources Overview Committee.

There were no updates from the Chairman for the meeting.

Representatives of town or parish councils and members of the public who live, work or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area are welcome to submit up to two questions or two statements for each meeting.  Alternatively, you could submit one question and one statement for each meeting.  

All submissions must be emailed in full to lindsey.watson@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 8.30am on 13 April 2023.   

When submitting your question(s) and/or statement(s) please note that: 

·            no more than three minutes will be allowed for any one question or statement to be asked/read  

·            a question may include a short pre-amble to set the context and this will be included within the three minute period 

·            please note that sub divided questions count towards your total of two 

·            when submitting a question please indicate who the question is for (e.g. the name of the committee or Portfolio Holder) 

·            Include your name, address and contact details.  Only your name will be published but we may need your other details to contact you about your question or statement in advance of the meeting. 

·            questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda 

·            all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.

Dorset Council Constitution Procedure Rule 9 

There were no questions or statements from members of the public or local organisations.

To receive questions submitted by councillors.  

Councillors can submit up to two valid questions at each meeting and sub divided questions count towards this total.   Questions and statements received will be published as a supplement to the agenda and all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting. 

The submissions must be emailed in full to lindsey.watson@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 8.30am on 13 April 2023.

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13

There were no questions from councillors.

To consider a report of the Service Manager Digital Place.

The committee received and considered a report of the Project Manager with regard to the development of a Digital Infrastructure Strategy and which invited the committee to comment on the proposals and timescale for adoption of the strategy.  In addition, a presentation was provided to highlight the key issues.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and presentation and discussion was held in the following areas:

·       Links to the council’s highways functions and need to ensure effective two-way engagement and understanding between the council and providers of fixed and mobile networks

·       Ensuring ward councillors were briefed on relevant issues in their areas

·       The council’s planning functions and links to consideration of the value of masts versus landscape impact and the need to ensure a wider understanding of the roles and powers of the different parties (e.g. the council, network suppliers, landowners), links to the new local plan and the need to be more proactive on these issues, potential supplementary planning guidance and the production of simple guidance for communities including information on the council’s website

·       Early engagement between network suppliers and the council was encouraged

·       It was felt that a wider discussion on the approach to these issues in the new local plan would be beneficial

·       Consideration of opportunities for the council in providing support through the planning and highways functions

·       The need to include a plan in the strategy to mitigate the impact on those areas that did not receive digital coverage and investigation of alternative sustainable solutions

·       The need to raise awareness of changes to be made e.g. switch off of the public switch network and switching off of 2G and 3G networks, the timelines for these and an understanding of the impact of these changes

·       Consideration of the role for the council in supporting those affected by changes to be made, including communities in remote locations and older and more vulnerable people

·       Information to be provided to councillors to enable them to support and work with their communities

·       Consideration of the issues relevant to more urban areas and tourist destinations, within the strategy

·       Detail of networking and work being undertaken with other councils

·       Opportunities to map council assets and link to future mast requirements – suggestion that this was progressed as an area of work.

It was agreed that an informal committee workshop would be held to discuss these issues further, with a date and arrangements to be confirmed following discussion with the Chairman, Vice-chairman and officers.

To review the Place and Resources Overview Committee Work Programme.

To review the Cabinet Forward Plan.

Councillors noted the committee’s work programme and items scheduled for the next meeting.  In addition, councillors noted the Cabinet Forward Plan.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There is no exempt business.

There was no exempt business.