Issue - meetings

Report of Executive Director of Place and Growth (Interim)

Purpose of report

This report reviews the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire Programme for Cherwell District Council to now consider extending its involvement in enabling further development locally through active involvement in the emerging Digital Infrastructure Delivery Partnership for Oxfordshire.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1           To note the success of the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire programme in exceeding the Government’s delivery target for ‘Superfast’ broadband availability in Cherwell and the continuing progress to extend full fibre and mobile coverage through existing resources.

1.2           To support the incorporation of the Oxfordshire Digital Infrastructure Strategy and Delivery Plan alongside the Memorandum of Understanding, recognising its important contribution to the delivery of the Housing and Growth Deal, the Cherwell Industrial Strategy and the Council’s other plans and policies.

1.3           To actively participate in the Oxfordshire Digital Infrastructure Partnership, through its proposed Board, by identifying a Councillor (supported by a senior officer) to represent the interests of the Council.

Resolved

(1)          That the success of the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire programme in exceeding the Government’s delivery target for ‘Superfast’ broadband availability in Cherwell and the continuing progress to extend full fibre and mobile coverage through existing resources be noted.

(2)          That the incorporation of the Oxfordshire Digital Infrastructure Strategy and Delivery Plan alongside the Memorandum of Understanding, recognising its important contribution to the delivery of the Housing and Growth Deal, the Cherwell Industrial Strategy and the Council’s other plans and policies, be supported.

(3)          That it be agreed to actively participate in the Oxfordshire Digital Infrastructure Partnership, through its proposed Board, by appointing a Councillor (supported by a senior officer) to represent the interests of the Council, with the councillor appointment delegated to the Director Law and Governance, in consultation with the Leader.

The Executive Director of Place and Growth (Interim) submitted a report which reviewed the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire Programme for Cherwell District Council to now consider extending its involvement in enabling further development locally through active involvement in the emerging Digital Infrastructure Delivery Partnership for Oxfordshire.

Resolved

(1)            That the success of the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire programme in exceeding the Government’s delivery target for ‘Superfast’ broadband availability in Cherwell and the continuing progress to extend full fibre and mobile coverage through existing resources be noted.

(2)            That the incorporation of the Oxfordshire Digital Infrastructure Strategy and Delivery Plan alongside the Memorandum of Understanding, recognising its important contribution to the delivery of the Housing and Growth Deal, the Cherwell Industrial Strategy and the Council’s other plans and policies, be supported.

(3)            That it be agreed to actively participate in the Oxfordshire Digital Infrastructure Partnership, through its proposed Board, by appointing a Councillor (supported by a senior officer) to represent the interests of the Council, with the councillor appointment delegated to the Director Law and Governance, in consultation with the Leader.

Reasons

CDC is invited to join the Oxfordshire Digital Infrastructure Delivery Partnership to facilitate actions to achieve the goals to be created through the emerging Oxfordshire Digital Infrastructure Strategy and Delivery Plan.

The Partnership will meet and liaise regularly, involving a designated representative from each partner body.  This is set-out in a non-legally binding Memorandum of Understanding.

The adoption of the Oxfordshire Digital Infrastructure and Delivery Plan by the end of this financial year would ensure that the Council is prepared – alongside its partners - for the Government to announce significant further funding opportunities.

Alternative options

Option 1: To cease involvement in the partnership provision of digital infrastructure and accept that investment will be delayed (or not delivered at all) in Cherwell, especially in rural areas;

Option 2: As proposed in this paper, to continue to work jointly with Oxfordshire County Council and partners, combining resources and bringing new resources to maximise the investment in digital infrastructure locally.