Agenda item

Nicola Kneale (DCC) will lead the discussion on this item about the opportunities for improving digital infrastructure in Conwy and Denbighshire.

10.15 am – 10.45 am

Nicola Kneale submitted the report (previously circulated) detailing the opportunities for improving digital infrastructure in Conwy and Denbighshire following the Board’s agreement at their meeting in July that a focus was needed on digital exclusion and digital skills. [A report on digital skills was proposed for a future meeting.]

Members were advised of the current position in relation to digital connectivity and the support in place for improving digital infrastructure.  Both counties had many rural areas with a lot of “white” premises (properties receiving less than 30Mbs).  BT Openreach had a plan for rolling out full fibre connections across some parts of the counties by June 2022 but many properties would not be covered.  Funding from the Rural Gigabite Voucher scheme was available for those not on the rollout scheme and another government scheme LFFN (Local Full Fibre Networks) would roll out full fibre connections to public buildings currently to March 2021 (although there may be some slippage).  However even after those planned rollouts many rural areas would still have poor connectivity.  Denbighshire had invested in a Digital Officer (February 2020 – March 2021) and Conwy planned to appoint a Digital Officer (January – December 2021) with slightly different approaches to address the issue.  An analysis of the digital infrastructure had led to a number of recommendations to effect improvement which included a prioritisation process for communities; longer term funding for the Digital Officer posts, and a joint working approach given the number of “white” premises bordering the counties.

The Board stressed the importance of good connectivity which had become even more apparent during the pandemic with more people working from home and businesses moving some or all of their operations online, and which also provided a lifeline for many rural communities.  Councillor Gronowy Edwards suggested a dialogue be established with BT Openreach given the fragmented approach undertaken in order to provide an opportunity for them to work together on a cohesive approach to better address the needs of communities.  The recommendation to work with Welsh Government to agree a definition of ‘rural communities’ with BT was also supported in order to prioritise those communities most lacking connectivity.  Judith Greenhalgh confirmed that digital connectivity had been recognised by the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB) as a high priority.  To ensure no duplication of work she suggested an update be sought from the NWEAB in that regard to enable the PSB to ascertain how they could best supplement those work plans.  It was agreed to invite Alwen Williams from the NWEAB to a future meeting to discuss the matter in more detail.  It was also agreed to ascertain whether the issue had been raised as a priority in other PSBs with the potential for a collective approach in order to exert greater influence in any future dialogue with Welsh Government or BT Openreach.

RESOLVED that –

(a)       members note the current position in relation to digital connectivity (as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report) together with the analysis of Strengths, Limitations, Weaknesses and Threats for each topic;

(b)       Alwen Williams from the NWEAB be invited to a future meeting to discuss work streams being undertaken to address digital connectivity in the area, and

(c)        other PSBs be contacted to ascertain whether they had identified digital connectivity as a priority area with the potential of providing a collective response in any future dialogue with BT Openreach and Welsh Government.

At this point (10.40 a.m.) the meeting adjourned for a short refreshment break.