Agenda item

Ian Swift, Director of Housing Needs and Strategy was present and outlined the presentation, a copy of which is interleaved

During consideration of the presentation the following main points were made-

·         Fixed fibre to the property or FTTP fibre broadband that is wired directly to the home instead of a cabinet that services it

·         Most Council homes are currently connected to these cabinets via copper cable which unreliable, and only capable of delivering limited connection speeds

·         FTTP connections is 3 times faster and can support significantly higher levels of household demand, making it possible to use a number of devices and stream data, music or videos at the same time

·         Faster and more reliable connectivity has become more important now than ever with increases in home working, home schooling, streaming digital media, and the significance towards accessing goods and services online

·         The Council recognises the significant social and financial benefits of a well connected borough; the huge demand for faster, more affordable and reliable digital connectivity by residents. Over the past year the Council has developed an approach to secure investment to upgrade estates to FTTP and is working closely with GLA, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports, and a number of local authorities, in particular Hackney because of the similarity in approach especially as lessons are being learnt from other Local Authorities

·         The Council envisages working with a number of internet service providers to deliver services across the borough in order to facilitate the rollout of FTTP to our estates as quickly as possible, maximise the choice of provider available to residents, keep the costs of services as low as possible, maximise the social benefits of improved connectivity

·         The Council will engage with the FTTP market providers in mid-November 2021, seeking expressions of interest from potential partners who will be expected to make commitments, that they will provide high quality and affordable connections to all Council owned estates and to a mutually agreed timescale, to work collaboratively with the Council and other providers to minimise disruption to residents, to install all equipment and cabling in a way that is safe ( protecting compartmentalisation of homes), and protects the Council’s and residents interest in homes and buildings. To contribute toward the Council significant costs in facilitating the safety compliant rollout

·         Community benefit – through market engagement the Council hopes to maximise the community benefit of the rollout of FTTP to our estates and wipe out digital connectivity blackspots on Council estates entirely within the next few years

·         The Council is seeking a broad range of measures and commitments from providers in this area, but also recognises that the providers will need to make significant levels of investment to deliver fibre to estates

·         Specific expectations around these have been set out in the expressions of interest document and will be subject to discussion and negotiation with providers. Publication of these ahead of market engagement this month would not be prudent as it may compromise the Council’s ability to secure the best outcomes from the market

·         In terms of implementation and rollout, the Council has developed a Wayleave agreement that all providers will be expected to sign up to. This agreement will cover the broad terms of the agreement and provide the service providers with rights to access Council property to survey, install, repair and maintain their equipment. A full technical specification for the installation of equipment and cables on estates has been developed, that will govern all works undertaken on housing estates and ensure works are delivered safely and all necessary repairs are made. Detailed site by site approval and technical supervision, particularly around fire stopping and safety, will be undertaken by specialist officers within Homes and Neighbourhoods team

·         FTTP rollout in the UK has been slow, and the levels of investment required are significant. There are also very few FTPP providers operating in the UK and London markets so competition is limited. There are also diminishing returns for the investment for subsequent providers so attracting multiple providers onto the same estates is unlikely. The Electronic communications code allows the Courts to impose leases or licences on the Council or any private landowner, this means that providers can serve notices on landowners who are subsequently forced to allow Code providers to install equipment on their land and for very little in way of compensation or consideration. It would be unlikely to successfully gain any community benefit or other concessions if this should happen

·         Meeting was advised that both the Chair and Councillor Convery have had a significant input into discussions on this issue, and that their contribution should be placed on record especially as social value and inclusivity were core to the proposals

·         Reference was made with the example when roads works are dug up to put in utilities, and the road restored to its original position, that this approach should be replicated with this scheme and that any removal of fibre optics going forward should not result in additional cost to the Council. It was stated that this would be investigated

·         Council aims to have 70% of residents connected to fibre optic within 2 years and 90% within 3 years. There would be a project plan available, which could be shared, and the Council would be seeking a contribution from providers of £55,000 and an officer would be monitoring implementation

·         The Council is seeking a reduction of 50% in costs for the poorest 10% of residents. In addition free broadband would be provided to community centres and hostels. There would also be a £10m insurance liability

·         In response to a question it was stated that in relation to fire safety alarm checks, especially in tower blocks, this could be looked at and whether this could be carried out in conjunction with CP12 gas checks

·         It was noted that that project plans could be shared with ward councillors and residents

·         It was stated that providers would provide upgrades to the system as improvements are made to ensure all fibre optic broadband was up to date and that all residents would be offered choice of providers

RESOLVED:

That the proposals be welcomed, and that the issues with utility companies noted above be investigated

The Chair thanked Ian Swift for his presentation