Agenda item

To consider a report (copy attached) by the Digital Officer which advises members on internet and telephony connectivity matters in Denbighshire and seeks the Committee’s views on them.

10.30 – 11.10 a.m.

The Chair welcomed the Lead Member for Broadband and Digital Strategy along with officers to present the report on poor internet connectivity in Denbighshire (previously circulated). On behalf of the committee he welcomed Martin Williams from Openreach.

Mr Williams thanked the committee for the invitation to attend the Performance Scrutiny Committee. He explained he was the Partnership Director for Openreach in Wales. His team was responsible for the role out of full fibre broadband across Wales engaging with key stakeholders and communities on updates on the commercial builds and options for communities. The team also looked after the current co-funded contract with Welsh Government. 

The Lead Member informed members included in the papers was the current information on levels of broadband in properties in the community. He stressed it was the responsibility of Openreach to install fibre in houses in Denbighshire. There was no legal requirement for Openreach to connect households to that fibre. Denbighshire County Council did not have the power to influence how Openreach operate. Members heard there was numerous plans including voucher schemes with the agency subject to eligibility. The process for a group to come together and apply for the voucher schemes took time. UK Government had put together the Gigabit Project which impacted the Gigabit voucher. Members heard there were alternative technologies such as wireless connections, satellite and 4G available but were not always the best solution for residents. It was dependant on the location of the property.

It was hoped that the windfarm grant provision in Denbighshire would help bridge any funding gaps between the Gigabit Voucher scheme and fibre install costs.

The Interim Head of Business Improvement and Modernisation Services along with the Digital Officer explained, Denbighshire had introduced the Digital Officer role to engage with communities, businesses and residents to offer a reasonable internet connection to their property. It was explained reasonable was a speed of 30 mbs, preferably fibre. Officers had to work with Openreach and go through their fibre partnership schemes to use Government money to fund. Currently the authority was restricted to where work could be completed due to upgrade programmes underway. Members heard the Gigabit voucher scheme was currently suspended in Wales due to the UK Government Initiative Gigabit Project was under tender. It was stressed officers have a good working relationship with Openreach.

One issue observed was the amount of money in the voucher scheme. Welsh Government ceased supporting the Gigabit voucher last year which in turn reduced it by 50%, UK Government have since increased the value of the voucher to £4500. It was hoped that it would reach the more rural areas. The really hard to reach areas would require further funding to achieve fibre internet.

The Chair thanked all the officers and Lead Member for the detailed introduction and invited members to raise any points for further explanation.  The following points were discussed in greater detail:

·         It was stressed the priority within the Corporate Plan of a better connected Denbighshire and the need to work in partnership with Openreach to achieve the targets set in that theme.

·         It was felt the need for better connectivity in Denbighshire would be beneficial for both residents and businesses.

·         Members heard there were over 100 network providers in the UK of which Openreach was just one. Predominantly in Denbighshire it was Openreach that was the main provider.

·         The full fibre coverage in Denbighshire was very good. Currently the best in Wales for full fibre coverage. The coverage currently was 71.6% across the authority for full fibre. A £10mil investment from Openreach may have been one of the reasons for the high level of coverage. In relation the Wales average for full fibre coverage was 47%.

·         Members were informed about the free website ‘think broadband’ which could test the connectivity in an area.

·         Members stress the difficulty encountered when obtaining residents and businesses to participate in the voucher scheme. It was noted a time scale may have been due to a deadline prior to suspending the scheme.

·         Infrastructure builds had taken place across all of Wales both rural and urban areas. It was hoped that in conjunction with the other full fibre providers up to 85% of the UK will have full fibre available by the end of 2026. The last 15% would potentially need further investment in the future. 

·         The voucher scheme from start to finish could take 12-18 months to complete that incorporated the initial period of obtaining sign ups to the development of infrastructure needed to provide the service.

·         Officers and the Openreach representative encouraged members to contact them direct to review any quotes for areas or communities and work with them to move forward.

·         Communication with the areas currently with lower internet connectivity to work with them to support and aid through the process.

·         The telephone provider was responsible to informing residents and businesses of coper being turned off. When the copper exchange was turned off, houses that did not have fibre would still use copper wires from the home to the box until they are upgraded. The copper was not being retired it was the electronics within the exchange. The copper lines would still be there. 

·         The importance of take up was stressed by officers and engaging with everyone in the authority was essential.

·         Other network providers could offer a service and input any infrastructure needed for that property.

The Chair thanked the Officers and in particular Martin Williams for his time and detailed explanation and discussions to members comments and concerns.

At the conclusion of an in-depth discussion the Committee:

Resolved:  subject to the above observations and with a view to supporting the vision of a better connected Denbighshire, that a further progress report on internet connectivity, future upgrading and roll-out plans, along with information on schemes or support available for hard to reach communities and properties in the county, be presented to the Committee in six months’ time.