Decision details

That the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning gives approval for the Council’s Legal Department to enter into a Funding Agreement with L B Bexley – for the funding of £800,000 to be released to undertake the above high-speed broadband connectivity work.

• The decision is needed to progress the work required to implement Cabinet decision for the Council to address the poor internet connectivity problems in the North Tottenham area – and thereby maximise the opportunities and potential associated with high-speed broadband connectivity for the benefits of its residents, businesses, and community.


• On 12 March 2019, Cabinet gave approval to receive the SIP funding to improve digital infrastructure and connectivity to council and community buildings in the Northumberland Park area. Cabinet gave delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Regeneration to approve the terms of the funding agreement.


• The Cabinet Member has been briefed on the scheme – and was happy for the delegated authority to be signed and for legal to complete the funding agreement.

• The Northumberland Park area of North
Tottenham is the most economically
disadvantaged and digitally excluded ward in
the borough. The SIP funding will be used to
modernise high-speed internet infrastructure
and connectivity in the area – by
upgrading/installing future-proofed, full- fibre
broadband to council and community buildings,
that are close to business locations.


• The fibre broadband connections will enable
CCTV upgrades by providing the modern
digital infrastructure for the use of high definition
cameras. In addition, the project will
explore more mobile solutions (Wi-Fi and 5G),
which will be enabled by the improved fibre
broadband infrastructure to the council and
community buildings and public areas.

The Council could choose not to enter into a
Funding Agreement with the L B Bexley, the
Accountable Body for the multi-borough funding
partnership. This has been discounted for several
reasons:

• It would result in the Council forfeiting
£800,000 to upgrade high-speed internet
infrastructure and connectivity in the most
economically disadvantaged and socially
excluded ward in the borough.

• The SIP funding and associated project
presents the Council with a major opportunity
to address the longstanding poor internet
infrastructure and connectivity problems in the
Northumberland Park area. Prior to the SIP
funding, there had been very little public
funding available to target upgrades to digital
infrastructure.