Issue - meetings

[Report of the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Local Investment and Economic Growth.]

The report will be seeking Cabinet approval for Officers to invite Expression of Interest from broadband suppliers to install full fibre high-speed broadband infrastructure and connections to council-owned housing stock, commercial properties, libraries and other community buildings and facilities - in exchange for the council entering into a Non-Exclusive Wayleave Agreement ("Wayleave/Broadband Agreement") with the selected broadband supplier(s).  The report will also update Cabinet on the delivery plans for £800,000 SIP funding received to upgrade/install full fibre/gigabit infrastructure.

The Leader introduced the report which set out proposals to help improve high-speed broadband infrastructure and connectivity in the borough and thereby maximise the advantages and potential associated with high-speed connectivity for the benefits for the boroughs’ residents, businesses and diverse communities.

RESOLVED

1. To seek of expressions of Interest from broadband suppliers to install full fibre high-speed broadband infrastructure and connections to Council-owned social housing stock, commercial properties and community buildings and facilities (at no cost to the Council, residents or businesses), in exchange for the Council entering into a Non-Exclusive Wayleave (Access permission) Agreement with the selected broadband supplier(s).

2. To give delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning, after consultation with the Cabinet Members for Local Investment, Economic Growth, Finance and Strategic Regeneration and Housing and Estate Renewal, to enter into the Wayleave Agreement(s) with the appointed broadband supplier(s) and approve the final terms.

3.  To note the delivery plans for the £800,000 SIP funding to improve broadband infrastructure and connectivity in North Tottenham (Northumberland Park).

Reasons for decision

Investment in upgrading Haringey’s digital infrastructure is of critical importance to allow the borough’s residents and businesses benefit fully from the economic and social advantages provided by high-speed internet connectivity.

The proposed Wayleave/Broadband approach is one way the Council can actively incentivise broadband suppliers to provide the much-needed capital investment into broadband connectivity within its estate.

It is hoped the Wayleave/Broadband scheme could result in the following benefits for the Council, residents, businesses and the wider economy:

• 21,000Council social housing properties being connected with full fibre high-speed internet connections
• Council-owned commercial property being connected with full fibre business-grade high-speed broadband connections. This could lead to increased rental income for the Council
• Free high-speed internet connections to community buildings and spaces including libraries, community halls, youth clubs et
• Low internet subscription charges for people on low incomes and the socially excluded
• Employment, digital training and apprenticeship opportunities for local people
• Regeneration, business and wider benefits for the local economy
• Efficiency and savings for the Council, particularly on “Access to online services” and “Housing blocks and other building management services”.

Additional information on the benefits of the Wayleave/Broadband scheme for the Council, residents, businesses and the wider economy, is outlined in Appendix 1

Alternative options considered

Option 1: ‘Do Nothing’

An option would be for the Council not to seek Expressions of Interest for broadband suppliers to upgrade the borough’s digital infrastructure through the Wayleave/broadband investment arrangement.

This would result in the Council not being able to secure external investment to improve its digital infrastructure and connectivity. There is very little public funding currently available to target upgrades to digital infrastructure.

Option 2:

The recommended option is to invite Expressions of Interests from broadband suppliers and for the Council to enter into a Non-Exclusive Wayleave Agreement with the appointed broadband supplier(s) – for them to install full fibre high-speed infrastructure and connectivity to Council-owned social housing stock, commercial properties and community buildings and facilities at no cost the Council. Enabling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84