Agenda item

Report of the Director – Growth and Economic Development

There will be one presentation from Nottinghamshire County Council

Councillor Combellack had submitted a scrutiny matrix which had been circulated with the report for this item. Councillor Combellack addressed the Group expressing her concerns around broadband and mobile network coverage across the Borough and wanted to understand what opportunities and challenges there are to achieving 100% coverage.

Mr Ian Stoddart, Digital Connectivity Manager at Nottinghamshire County Council delivered a presentation on Nottinghamshire County Council’s ‘Better Broadband for Nottinghamshire’ a multi contract programme that delivered over £31m of broadband network investment across the County, of which Rushcliffe received 16,099 connections. Over 87,000 premises were connected to a fibre service between 2014-2021 and 83.37% of all Nottinghamshire premises receive gigabit-capable service, with premises in Rushcliffe receiving 80.96% able to access gigabit-capable services and 53.17% able to access a full-fibre broadband service and although behind the County as a whole, the Group were advised these coverage figures are extremely positive.

Mr Stoddart informed the Group of the latest £5bn national programme ‘Project Gigabit’, a programme to deliver 85% gigabit broadband coverage, with an initial scope of 20,000 premises in Nottinghamshire, 3,412 in Rushcliffe. Mr Stoddart explained that given the nature of civic engineering projects related to broadband delivery it is not expected that delivery will begin until early 2025 and are subject to network design verification and a detailed survey process, including design change and cost confirmation.

Mr Stoddart highlighted the D2N2 ‘GigaHubs’ Project, a Nottinghamshire County Council led project funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLHUC), which aims to connect public sector buildings to fast, reliable internet connection.

The Group noted the 4 sites selected for Rushcliffe at:

·       Bingham Library

·       Cotgrave Library/Cotgrave Hub

·       Keyworth Library

·       Radcliffe on Trent Library

Mr Stoddart confirmed that a supplier contract for delivery is in place and the survey and design process is underway with services expected to be delivered by March 2026.

With regards to mobile network coverage Mr Stoddart advised the Group of a Digital Pathfinders project which Nottinghamshire County Council have partnered with Birmingham University to collect mobile data in reference to coverage and signal strength across Nottinghamshire by deploying equipment to Nottinghamshire County Council’s waste collection vehicles to detect ‘not-spots’, where coverage is poor. The Group noted that Nottinghamshire County Council would utilise the findings to engage with mobile network operators regarding not-spots and intervention opportunities. Nottinghamshire County Council also has a license agreement in place to provide the use of streetlighting to mobile operators to install ‘small cell’ equipment with the aim to increase the capacity of their networks.

Mr Stoddart advised the Group that if they are aware of any businesses approaching the Council to discuss mobile infrastructure opportunities that Nottinghamshire County Council would welcome the opportunity to support businesses and provide access to data to highlight any opportunities.

In concluding Mr Stoddart informed the Group of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which BT have announced will be switched off and by the end of 2025 their plans to migrate the old analogue telephone network to a fully digital one. In addition, the Group were advised that the Government has committed to work with Ofcom to ensure consumers and affected sectors are protected and prepared for the switch.

The Group asked Mr Stoddart what Rushcliffe Borough Council could be doing to support residents and Nottinghamshire County Council to minimise any disruption and what alternative solutions are available for residents in the meantime. Mr Stoddart explained that full fibre options are the best option going forward and Nottinghamshire County Council will be lobbying hard for improvements, however this will involve huge amounts of capital to make the digital switch cost effective and fit for future use. In respect of alternative back up for residents Openreach (BT) does have a universal service obligation where premises/households can apply directly to Openreach, but data suggests cost to connect to full fibre are high for an individual connection in remote locations.

Councillor Butler asked a specific question relating to mobile networks and its dependency on mobile masts and whether mobile companies would consider sharing masts. Mr Stoddart explained technically this can be done, but the competition between mobile providers does not allow it.

The Chairman thanked officers at Nottinghamshire County Council for the extensive work being done to improve connectivity and communications across the Borough and Nottinghamshire and reminded the Group of the invitation from Nottinghamshire County Council to refer residents broadband and mobile enquiries to the County Council.

It was RESOLVED that Growth and Development Scrutiny Group:

a)    reviewed the scrutiny matrix and ask questions of the expert witnesses

b)    identified that there were no areas where further work or further updates are   required.