Agenda item

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and make the following resolutions and recommendation to Council:

1.    That the Cabinet resolves to enter into an agreement with Cityfibre for an extension of the Council’s full fibre connectivity using the West Sussex County Council’s framework using the seven year revenue model.

2.    That the Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Corporate Services and the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services the final approval of sites and contract detail.

3.    That Cabinet recommends to Council to underwrite the cost of the contract and that any costs not met by the Business Rates Pool for 2019/20 up to a maximum of £743,000 over a seven year period starting no earlier than 2021.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Cabinet resolves to enter into an agreement with Cityfibre for an extension of the Council’s full fibre connectivity using the West Sussex County Council’s framework using the seven year revenue model.

2.    That the Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Corporate Services and the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services the final approval of sites and contract detail.

RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL

That Cabinet recommends to Council to underwrite the cost of the contract and  that any costs not met by the Business Rates Pool for 2019/20 up to a maximum of £743,000 over a seven year period starting no earlier than 2021.

Mr Wilding introduced the item. He explained that in 2017 the council signed up to a countywide Gigabit project. Part of the project was an award to West Sussex County Council (WSCC) of a government grant funded contract to create a fibre network connection for public sector sites across the county. Cityfibre won the contract and the project is now in the final stages. He explained that the council now has an opportunity to use the cool off arrangement to connect a further 50 council assets in Chichester city such as Westward House, Westgate centre and offices. The project requires new fibre infrastructure installation across the city but in turn will provide ultrafast connectivity to the council’s assets and increase fibre and digital infrastructure across the city, benefitting the local community and the local economy. The cost of the project is estimated at £743,000 over seven years and is likely to be met from the West Sussex Business Rates Retention Pool.

Mr Wilding confirmed that there is also a project relating to better connectivity in the rural areas.

Mr Mildred added that the project is part of the programme of countywide projects which tie in to the national agenda for digital infrastructure. He explained that it puts the council at the forefront of the benefits on offer. A member briefing will be arranged next year.

Mrs Sharp was invited to ask her pre-submitted question as follows:

I understand that the Extending Ultrafast Public Connectivity report Item 5 on the agenda that this item doesn’t involve 5G. However could I ask the Cabinet Members (Martyn Bell – Place and Penny Plant  - Environment)

A)   If you could, if possible work with Peter Wilding (Corporate Services) to link in the digging up the road issue with the Vision project to revamp our city pavements and possibly with tree planting works

We don’t yet as a County have a “Dig Once” policy but if we could work together to bring some co-benefits to Chichester residents this might make residents happier about the inconvenience of the digging works although we probably all agree on the society benefits that better connectivity can bring

B)   Could I ask Cabinet Members to share your personal views on the precautionary principle and 5G and trees

I know that you might say 5G doesn’t need to be discussed under this Agenda item but this project doesn’t preclude the coming of 5 G and residents’ concerns are very real especially for those who have health issues linked to Wi-Fi etc so some reassurance from Cabinet members that they are looking into these issues would be a comfort.

Mr Wilding provided the following response:

With regards to the first part of your question the Council is represented on a Countywide group that is coordinating the approach to Digital Infrastructure, one key work stream of that group is developing a ‘Dig Once’ approach. Whilst the County Council will need to lead this as they grant the licences for digging roads we will ensure that Chichester District Council strongly encourage this approach to be developed and implemented as a matter of urgency.

Mrs Lintill then provided the following response:

With regards to the second part of your question it is not appropriate at this time to seek the personal views of members however the WSCC position on this and shared lines for communication are that the County does not have a programme to deliver 5G which is still in development by national commercial suppliers and we would expect that any future deployment of 5G in the county would be in line with the relevant government policies.

Mrs Sharp asked if the issue could be discussed by all members at a future date. Mrs Lintill confirmed that this would be the case.

Mr Potter was invited to ask a question as follows:

With reference to the last sentence of page 13 of the Cabinet papers relating to minimising disruption, how much disruption is anticipated?

Mr Mildred then provided the following response:

Wherever possible existing infrastructure will be used to minimise disruption however, it is likely to take a few years to complete in total.

Decision

The Cabinet then voted unanimously to make the resolutions and recommendation below.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Cabinet resolves to enter into an agreement with Cityfibre for an extension of the Council’s full fibre connectivity using the West Sussex County Council’s framework using the seven year revenue model.

2.    That the Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Corporate Services and the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services the final approval of sites and contract detail.

RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL

That Cabinet recommends to Council to underwrite the cost of the contract and  that any costs not met by the Business Rates Pool for 2019/20 up to a maximum of £743,000 over a seven year period starting no earlier than 2021.