Agenda item

Proposer:  Councillor Catrin M S Davies

Seconder: Councillor Rhodri Davies

Council notes:

We know that poor digital connectivity remains a serious problem in many rural areas across Ceredigion and that access to and use of online services reflects other inequalities in society; and that this can cause economic underperformance and lead to further rural poverty in our county. Poor connectivity can lead to the loss of economic opportunities not to mention its impact on the education of our children and young people.

Alternative network operator, Broadway Partners had been aspiring to deploy their own gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises network across the north of Ceredigion after engaging with local communities for over 2 years. It could have revolutionised the lives of many of our residents and would improve economic growth across the county.

5 projects were outlined and approved for Broadway Partners - in the north of Ceredigion, but recently BDUK (Building Digital UK) has delayed funding for 2 of the projects (namely Ysgubor y Coed and Pontarfynach), stating that these areas would now likely to fall within the scope of the Wales-wide procurement exercise, which is being conducted by BDUK. This effectively destroyed the Broadway partners' plan.

Broadway Partners called in the administrators at the end of May 2023. The administrators are currently looking for buyers to take over part or all of the business and they hope to close the process by end of July 2023. But securing a buyer does not guarantee that the proposed infrastructure projects will continue to be built in Melindwr and Ceulan and Maesmawr wards.

The UK Government's current funding model makes it difficult for alternative network providers to fill the connectivity gap in rural areas. Nevertheless, it would be appropriate for the UK Government to intervene to support these communities, and in particular to help find a company that can take over the plans that have been left unfinished and to include the original areas of Ysgubor y Coed and Pontarfynach. These communities have already waited far too long for adequate broadband connectivity. Every effort must be made to ensure that the plans are not delayed further.

Therefore, the Council is:

a)   Asking BDUK to urgently look at providing fast connectivity to the areas of Ceulan and Maesmawr, and Melindwr - that connectivity that was promised two years ago.

b)   Asking the UK Government, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to intervene to support the communities that have been affected by the collapse of Broadway Partners, and in particular to help find a company that can take over the plans that have been left unfinished and to include the original areas of Ysgubor y Coed and Pontarfynach.

c)   Noting that Welsh Government recognises that digital connectivity is as important as digital inclusion (it is difficult to have one without the other) We ask what are they doing to support the rural areas of Ceredigion that have been affected by the collapse of the Broadway Partners company?

d)   Requesting details from the UK Government, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, regarding their procurement process for the Gigabit Project in Wales, specifically areas of Ceredigion that are still digitally underprivileged, and also for a definite timetable for bringing fast connectivity to the whole county.

Proposer: Councillor Catrin M S Davies

Seconder: Councillor Rhodri Davies

Council notes:

We know that poor digital connectivity remains a serious problem in many rural areas across Ceredigion and that access to and use of online services reflects other inequalities in society; and that this can cause economic underperformance and lead to further rural poverty in our county. Poor connectivity can lead to the loss of economic opportunities not to mention its impact on the education of our children and young people.

Alternative network operator, Broadway Partners had been aspiring to deploy their own gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises network across the north of Ceredigion after engaging with local communities for over 2 years. It could have revolutionised the lives of many of our residents and would improve economic growth across the county.

5 projects were outlined and approved for Broadway Partners - in the north of Ceredigion, but recently BDUK (Building Digital UK) has delayed funding for 2 of the projects (namely Ysgubor y Coed and Pontarfynach), stating that these areas would now likely to fall within the scope of the Wales-wide procurement exercise, which is being conducted by BDUK. This effectively destroyed the Broadway partners' plan.

Broadway Partners called in the administrators at the end of May 2023. The administrators are currently looking for buyers to take over part or all of the business and they hope to close the process by end of July 2023. But securing a buyer does not guarantee that the proposed infrastructure projects will continue to be built in Melindwr and Ceulan and Maesmawr wards.

The UK Government's current funding model makes it difficult for alternative network providers to fill the connectivity gap in rural areas. Nevertheless, it would be appropriate for the UK Government to intervene to support these communities, and in particular to help find a company that can take over the plans that have been left unfinished and to include the original areas of Ysgubor y Coed and Pontarfynach. These communities have already waited far too long for adequate broadband connectivity. Every effort must be made to ensure that the plans are not delayed further.

Therefore, the Council is:

a) Asking BDUK to urgently look at providing fast connectivity to the areas of Ceulan and Maesmawr, and Melindwr - that connectivity that was promised two years ago.

b) Asking the UK Government, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to intervene to support the communities that have been affected by the collapse of Broadway Partners, and in particular to help find a company that can take over the plans that have been left unfinished and to include the original areas of Ysgubor y Coed and Pontarfynach.

c) Noting that Welsh Government recognises that digital connectivity is as important as digital inclusion (it is difficult to have one without the other) We ask what are they doing to support the rural areas of Ceredigion that have been affected by the collapse of the Broadway Partners company?

d) Requesting details from the UK Government, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, regarding their procurement process for the Gigabit Project in Wales, specifically areas of Ceredigion that are still digitally underprivileged, and also for a definite timetable for bringing fast connectivity to the whole county.

Councillor Catrin M S Davies presented the Notice of Motion, highlighting the concerns regarding poor digital connectivity throughout the county. She noted that access to online services reflects other inequalities in society which can cause economic under performance and further rural poverty with a loss of economic activity, not to mention the impact on the education of children and young people.  This was re-iterated by Councillor Rhodri Davies, who emphasised the concern regarding delayed funding of the projects in Ysgubor y Coed and Pontarfynach and the collapse of Broadway Partners which meant that the work may not be completed before 2029.

Councillor Bryan Davies thanked members for presenting the motion, noting that there appears to be a focus on developing ultra-fast broadband in urban areas, rather than the needs of rural areas. He noted that Ceredigion is heavily reliant on the tourism and the agriculture sector, and both industries are very dependent on connectivity, therefore it’s very important that the Government listens to our concerns.

Members noted their concerns that residents were having to invest in their own technology, and that in some under-privileged areas, families were dependent on 1–3Mbps which meant that they could not use more than one device in the house at any time.  Members also questioned the role of Welsh Government in relation to this and asked for a workshop to be held to review the connectivity status of various areas in the County.  It was also noted that improved connectivity would contribute to a reduced carbon footprint, with more people able to attend meetings remotely, and work from home.

Councillor Clive Davies noted that a Digital Connectivity Officer has now been appointed, and one of the first tasks will be to create a picture of where the gaps are within the county.  He noted that the digitalisation programme has not been devolved to Welsh Government, and where this was previously funded by European funding it is now distributed by the UK Government, with the criteria constantly changing.  He recommended that a copy of the Motion is shared with Eleanor Williams, Head of Ofcom Wales in order that she is aware of the concerns, and able to forward these to the UK Government.

Following a vote, it was RESOLVED to agree the Motion as presented.