Decision details

To consider the urban broadband fund – phase 2 grant application. 

Matter for Decision: Cambridge City Council is one of 27 cities identified as eligible to bid for funding under Phase 2 of the Urban Broadband Fund Super-Connected Cities Initiative – designed to create cities with ultrafast broadband and ubiquitous high-speed wireless connectivity.

Decision of the Executive Councillor:

The Executive Councillor resolved to:

        i.            Authorise officers to undertake work to determine the opportunities and implications of submitting a bid under Phase 2 of the Urban Broadband Fund.

      ii.            Agree to proposals outlined in the officer’s report for Member involvement.

    iii.            Delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Executive Councillor, Chair and Spokes of the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee to determine whether the Council should submit a bid for Phase 2 funding and, if so, what the basis of the bid should be.

Reasons for the Decision: As set out in the officer’s report.

Any alternative options considered and rejected: As set out in the officer’s report.

Scrutiny Considerations

The committee received a report from the Head of ICT.

The committee made the following comments on the report:

        i.            Suggested that the project look at download speeds of 120Mbits/s.

      ii.            Due to the number of new developments within the City, consisting of both new homes and businesses, the project should be looked at alongside the Local Plan Consultation.

In response to member’s questions the head of ICT confirmed the following:

        i.            Whilst the project was in its early stages officers were looking into issues such as the viability of voucher schemes, gaps in existing provision and the council owned infrastructure.

The Scrutiny Committee considered and approved the recommendations by 8 votes to 0 (unanimous).

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.