Agenda item

To receive updates from providers and users of Broadband in the New Forest.

Cllr Kendal declared an interest in this matter as the Hampshire County Council Cabinet member responsible for broadband provision.  He concluded that there were no issues under common law which prevented him from remaining in the meeting to speak and vote.

The Panel received a presentation from Hampshire County Council and Openreach representatives, noted the HCC Cabinet report of December 2017 providing an update on superfast (24Mbs) broadband in Hampshire, a summary of local broadband speeds/coverage dated September 2018, and feedback from local residents/businesses/parish councils on broadband service in the District, together with a related map.

Mr Peacey explained that the second wave of the Hampshire superfast broadband project aimed to reach 97.5% of premises across the county as a whole.  This involved a move away from copper to fibre.  Fibre was a preferable solution as copper was ineffective beyond 1000 metres from the cabinet.  He gave details of projects planned over the next 12 months in Boldre, Sway, Brockenhurst and Beaulieu.

Across the County, 2.5% of properties were not served by superfast broadband, and, with costs of £1,000-£2,000 per property, further Government funding would be required to address the issue. HCC were involved in a bid for Government funds.  He also mentioned a gigabyte voucher scheme which allowed a grant of up to £2,500 for small to medium sized enterprises.  Openreach and HCC gave annual updates to small businesses through a website and on social media about scheme availability. 

He reminded the Panel of the difficulties encountered in obtaining permissions for broadband works within the Forest, given restrictions of the National Park, the Forestry Commission and Natural England as well as other bodies.  It was noted that the new Official Verderer had fostered a more co-operative working relationship with providers. 

Mr Gale explained that Openreach had tendered for the Hampshire County Council Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) contract, providing its own funds of £28 million over three contracts throughout Hampshire.  He explained that an internal reorganisation at Openreach had reduced the number of management roles and increased the number of engineers on the ground to implement broadband schemes.

Reference was made to Appendix 1 to the report (the ‘superfast broadband in Hampshire’ report to HCC dated 11 December 2017), which contained a list of project coverage by County electoral division at that date.  There were still a number of electoral divisions within the Forest with lower than 95% broadband coverage.  It was suggested that the various agencies within the Forest should meet and co-operate to solve the various issues blocking broadband provision in the Forest.  It was, however, noted that, historically, schemes were being delayed because of negotiations with the Verderers Court, but that as mentioned previously, this situation had now improved significantly.

Cllr Mrs McEvoy explained that the Leader of HCC, Cllr Perry, had asked for information on speeds in various electoral divisions in order to pursue improvements in broadband speeds where required.  Mr Peacey undertook to provide Cllr Mrs McEvoy with a progress report on broadband provision in South Waterside. 

Cllr Errington of Ellingham, Harbridge & Ibsley Parish Council emphasised the need for broadband provision crews to be better supervised and also queried the future plans for covering the final 2.5% of properties without broadband.  He referred to the Community Fibre Partnership Scheme and the delays in scheme provision.

Cllr Taylor, Minstead Parish Council, reported on the local community fibre project which had been subject to considerable delays, which had been escalated with Openreach and the local MP.

Cllr Kendal explained that the Hampshire County Council involvement in broadband provision in the county was due to finish by the end of 2019.  However HCC was in the process of applying for further Government money to continue the project for hard to reach properties such as those in some rural areas of the Forest.

Members felt that representations should be made to Hampshire County Council to encourage them to continue the broadband project beyond 2019.

It was noted that the draft Local Plan contained a policy on the requirement for provision of a high speed fibre broadband connection to the property threshold for new developments.  The Chairman proposed that officers be requested to expedite this requirement so that it is applied to new developments as soon as possible.

Members also noted that the national planning policy framework 2018 stated that “planning policies and decisions should support the expansion of electronic communications networks, including next generation mobile technology (such as 5G) and full fibre broadband connections”.  This policy was being followed by District Council planning officers.

Members expressed concern that market exclusivity contracts for broadband provision on new developments might sometimes limit or inhibit optimal solutions.

RESOLVED:

(a)           That the Panel notes the contents of the report;

(b)           That New Forest District Council continue to work with the Hampshire County Council Broadband Team, Openreach and other influential partners to further implement the rollout of coverage in New Forest District;

(c)           That existing initiatives by way of grants and/or schemes to further broadband coverage be communicated to the residents and businesses of New Forest District to ensure the greatest possible take-up; and, furthermore, that where superfast is enabled, take-up of these services be promoted to ensure that the maximum Gainshare is enabled;

 (d)          That, in respect of new developments, in the District outside the National Park, Policy 35(iv) (requiring “provision of a high speed fibre broadband connection to the property household”) of the submitted Local Plan Review 2016-2036 be implemented at the earliest opportunity, where practicable and reasonable;

 (e)          That the District Council’s support for any measures the County Council may take to extend its broadband project beyond 2019 be conveyed to the County Council’s Cabinet; and

(f)           That officers use their best endeavours to promote “joined up working” within the District among the various agencies in order to provide smoother implementation of individual broadband provision projects.