THIS REPORT RELATES STIRLING COUNCIL TO ITEM 6 ON THE AGENDA
FINANCE & ECONOMY COMMITTEE CORPORATE OPERATIONS
31 MARCH 2016 NOT EXEMPT
IMPROVING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY - UPDATE
1 SUMMARY
1.1 Stirling Council are committed to improve internet access and speed of connectivity across Stirling, recognising its importance in supporting sustainable communities and delivering economic growth.
1.2 Council Officers are continuing to work with Digital Scotland to support the roll out of the national Step-Change Programme. This programme is due to be completed in 2017 and aims to deliver a minimum of 93.4% coverage across the Stirling area. Coverage of Super-Fast Broadband across the area has now been increased to 78.6% through this programme.
1.3 A Programme Manager has been appointed to lead the Broadband programme and the community representation on the Broadband Delivery Group has been increased to improve the focus on delivering improvements to rural communities.
1.4 The Council agreed an investment of £300,000 per annum for the next 5 years to address gaps in rural internet provision. The Broadband Delivery Group will undertake an audit anticipated coverage, consider interventions to address identified gaps in provision and report back to Committee with a recommended action plan.
1.5 This paper provides an update on progress in improving connectivity and actions required to address identified gaps in provision.
2 OFFICER RECOMMENDATION(S)
The Finance and Economy Committee agrees:
2.1 to note current progress on delivery of the Digital Scotland National Step Change Programme;
2.2 to note the appointment of a programme manager for Broadband, and the increased community representation on the Broadband Delivery Group; and
2.3 that the Broadband Delivery Group completes the audit of the current and anticipated rural coverage, and reports back to Committee in June 2016 with recommendations for investment strategy to address identified gaps in service provision.
3 CONSIDERATIONS
Digital Scotland – Step Change Programme
3.1 Prior to the launch of Digital Scotland’s Step Change Programme, it was estimated that the coverage of Superfast Broadband in Stirling would grow to 59%, through commercial expansion of the network. The intervention of the programme will increase this to 93.4% by 2017. Stirling Council contributed £0.6M in 2014 to support this programme and officers will continue to work with Digital Scotland on the implementation of the improvements.
3.2 The national programme is delivering the desired benefits for Stirling, with coverage having reached 78.6% and many communities now receiving increased internet speeds. However, there are still a large number of premises to be enabled and significant challenges to be overcome in some of our rural communities.
3.3 As the programme is progressing, the communities which fall within the 5.6% of the Council area which are not anticipated to fully benefit from the national programme are becoming clearer. These communities include, Balquhidder, Trossachs, Blairlogie, Kippen, Kinlochard, Balmaha, Gartmore and Kilmahog/Callander.
3.4 Whilst some of the communities listed may partially benefit from the national programme, interventions will be required to find local and community based solution for the remaining areas within these locations.
3.5 Community Broadband Scotland are currently working with some of these communities to identify solutions and consider appropriate delivery arrangements.
Broadband Delivery Group
3.6 The Broadband Delivery Group (formally the Broadband Advisory Group) will continue to work with Digital Scotland, Community Broadband Scotland and commercial network providers to find solutions to provide connectivity beyond the national programme.
3.7 The group includes Elected Members, local MP and MSP, and a number of community volunteers who bring local and industry knowledge and expertise. The time and effort which the volunteers are committing to the group is greatly appreciated by the Council, and is vital to the success of the work of the group.
3.8 A dedicated programme manager is now in place, who will co-ordinate and lead the development of rural broadband working with the Broadband Delivery Group. 3.9 As the programme is delivered, the specific areas that are unfortunately not going to benefit from the programme, is becoming clearer and there is a need to increase the focus of the group to identify solutions for these areas.
3.10 Council recently agreed to expand the community representation within the group to increase the engagement with those communities which will not benefit from the national programme. These communities have been asked to join the group, and it is hoped that they will be involved from April.
3.11 The work of the group over the next 3 months will focus on the audit of the rural area to ensure the Council, the communities and the broadband partners have a clear understanding of the coverage gaps in provision. There is currently gaps in information about connectivity and speeds in our most rural areas, and the completion of the audit will be critical to identify the scale and format of required solutions.
3.12 Fife Council have recently undertaken a similar study and the group are liaising with Fife to ensure sharing of best practice and learning around community solutions.
3.13 The group are also working with Community Broadband Scotland and commercial network providers to identify possible solutions for the communities.
3.14 Mobile phone coverage within some parts of our rural area is also limited, and demands for connections to 3G and 4G services are increasing from communities, business and tourism. Due to the geographical challenges on mobile broadband solutions, rather than fibre networks to improve connectivity and speed will be inevitable. This may provide a parallel opportunity to improve mobile phone coverage within the area as part of any infrastructure programme.
3.15 The Broadband Delivery Group will work with Ofcom and mobile telecom providers to ensure any opportunity to improve both phone and broadband coverage is explored.
3.16 Key Actions for the Broadband Delivery Group over the next 3 months:
- Audit of Provision within the Rural Area.
- Work with Community Broadband Scotland and commercial providers to identify possible solutions and consider business cases.
- Recommend a revised Rural Broadband Strategy to address gaps in provision.
- Increase communication and engagement with rural communities.
- Work with Ofcom and mobile network providers to identify opportunities for improvement to mobile phone coverage within the rural area.
3.17 Officers will report back to Committee in June on progress with these actions.
Funding
3.18 Council recently agreed to allocated £300,000 funding per year, for the next 5 years, to assist in the funding of technical solutions working with delivery partners to identify appropriate opportunities and cases for the investment.
3.19 The Council will not be a direct provider of broadband services, however it can help facilitate and improve the provision of services in the area. Investment in projects will be on a case by case basis, and subject to a robust business case and cost-benefit-analysis. Where there is a commercial interest in the services, the council will seek to invest this funding on a claw- back basis where possible.
3.20 A report will be brought to Finance and Economy Committee in June, detailing the output of the rural audit, and will recommend a delivery programme for investment in solutions during 2016/17 and beyond.
3.21 The Broadband Delivery Group will also investigate other funding streams beyond the Councils current financial commitment.
4 POLICY/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS AND CONSULTATIONS
Policy Implications
Equality Impact Assessment No Strategic Environmental Assessment No Serving Stirling Yes Single Outcome Agreement Yes Diversity (age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation) No Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) Yes Effect on Council’s green house gas emissions No Effect Strategic/Service Plan Yes Existing Policy or Strategy Yes Risk No Resource Implications Financial No People No Land and Property or IT Systems No Consultations Internal or External Consultations Yes
Equality Impact Assessment
4.1 The contents of this report were assessed using the EqIA Relevance Assessment Form It was determined that an Equality Impact Assessment was not required as the actions proposed will improve the focus of delivery of the Council’s key priority to improve upon access to and speed of internet services across the Stirling area, particularly for those communities and citizens not currently anticipated to benefit from the Step Change Programme. Strategic Environmental Assessment
4.2 This report does not relate to a Plan, Policy, Programme or Strategy therefore Strategic Environmental Assessment does not apply.
Serving Stirling
4.3 The proposals set out in this report are consistent with the following key priorities:-
C- Regenerate our most in need communities to deliver a full range of positive social, environmental and economic outcomes
O - Deliver and improve upon access to and speed of internet access across the Stirling area
Single Outcome Agreement
4.4 The proposals set out in this report support the following outcomes in the Single Outcome Agreement:
- Communities are well served, better connected and safe
- Improved opportunities for learning, training and work
Other Policy Implications
4.5 None
Resource Implications
4.6 There are no resource implications related to this report.
Consultations
4.7 Broadband Delivery Group, Friday 29 January 2016
Tick ( ) to confirm and add relevant initials The appropriate Convener(s), Vice Convener(s), Portfolio Holder and NB Depute Portfolio Holder have been consulted on this report JH The Chief Executive or Director has been consulted on this report as GO’S appropriate
5 BACKGROUND PAPERS
5.1 Broadband Advisory Group - Follow up Action Note (dated 29 January 2016).
5.2 Broadband Delivery Group - Stirling Council 3 March 2016 6 APPENDICES
6.1 Appendix 1 – EqIA Relevance Assessment Form
Author(s) Name Designation Telephone Number/E-mail
Douglas Baillie Broadband Project Manager 01786 233250 [email protected]
01786 233462 Brian Roberts Senior Manager – [email protected] Infrastructure
Approved by Name Designation Signature
Gerard O’Sullivan Director of Corporate Operations
Date 11 March 2016 Service Reference
Appendix 1
Stirling Council: EqIA Relevance Check (June 2014)
Completing this form will help you determine whether or not an equality impact assessment is required and provide a record of your decision. This is a screening process to help you decide if the proposal under consideration requires an EqIA - it is not an EqIA and the impact of the proposal will be determined by the EqIA itself.
The Guidance: Equality Impact Assessment Toolkit June 2014 may help when completing this form this can be accessed via the following link - http://web.stirling.gov.uk/eqia_toolkit.doc
The term proposal used below is intended to include “policy, strategy, service, function, procedure or project.”
When is an EqIA required?
While each proposal must be considered individually, it is anticipated that an EqIA will always be required when: introducing a new policy/strategy/service/function reviewing a current policy/strategy/service/function reducing / discontinuing an existing service considering budget proposals resulting in any of the above Reports on technical or procedural matters or which confirm progress on previously considered proposals, may be less likely to require an EqIA but this can only be determined by using this form.
SUMMARY DETAILS
1. Title of Proposal: Service PBB Ref (if applicable)
Broadband Update Corporate Operations n/a
2. Service, and Lead Officer (Head of Service/ Service Manager) undertaking assessment
Service Lead Officer Corporate Operations Brian Roberts
3. What is the nature of the proposal? (Tick/complete all that apply)
Review of an existing policy/strategy Review of an existing service/function Reduction in an existing service / function Removal of an existing service Introduction of a new policy/ strategy Introduction of new service/function Other e.g. technical, progress, procedural √ report PBB category e.g. transformational change 4. For proposals with implications for budgets complete the following:
(£ 000s) Current expenditure on activity In Council area as a whole In/for specific community/ies
Total anticipated savings or In/for Council area as a whole proposed increased spend In/ for specific community/ies Start date for savings/increased spend End Date for savings/increased spend Savings/increased spend Year 1 Delivery Timescale and Phasing Savings/increased spend Year 2 Savings/increased spend Year 3 Savings/increased spend Year 4 Savings/increased spend Year 5
AIMS & OBJECTIVES
Answering questions 5 - 7 will help you decide whether or not your proposal needs to be accompanied by an EqIA.
5. What longer term outcomes is the proposal expected to achieve?
Delivery of the Council’s key priorities is to improve upon access to and speed of internet services across the Stirling area.
6. What are the main aims of this proposal? If this proposal revises an existing policy have its aims changed?
Update committee on progress being made on improving internet access and speed of connectivity across the Stirling area.
7. Who is most likely to be affected by this proposal? Consider current and potential future service users including people with particular needs, specific geographical communities and current and prospective employees.
Purpose of action is to improve focus geographically and target to those communities currently not expected to benefit from the Digital Scotland Step Change Programme
POTENTIAL IMPACT
Answering Questions 8 -12 will help you consider the potential impact of the proposal.
8. What potential impact will this proposal have on people in terms of the needs of the public sector equality duty and the Council’s responsibilities to:- eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation advance equality of opportunity foster good relations - including the need to tackle prejudice and promote understanding See guidance for additional information.
None.
9. Will this proposal have a potential impact on people with “protected characteristics”*? Please consider all protected groups listed below. A detailed explanation of these is provided in the guidance.
Group Impact Group Impact Group Impact Yes/No/Unclear Yes/No/Unclear Yes/No/Unclear Age No Disability No Gender No Reassignment Marriage No Pregnancy No Race No and Civil and Maternity Partnership Religion No Sex No Sexual No and Belief Orientation
10. Will this proposal have an impact on communities, household groups or individuals with a higher risk of experiencing poverty? Please answer Yes/No/Unclear. Information on communities, households and individuals with a higher risk of experiencing poverty is provided in the guidance.
No.
11. Do you already have any evidence that has influenced or shaped this proposal in relation to people in protected characteristic groups or communities, groups or individuals vulnerable to poverty? If so please summarise what this evidence includes.
Information from Digital Scotland on areas that are unlikely to benefit from the Step Change Programme.
DECISION
12. Based on your responses and any evidence you already have, is an EqIA required for this proposal? In making your decision please note:
if answering Yes to any part of either questions 9 or 10 an EqIA is required
if answering Unclear to any part of questions 9 or 10 you are strongly advised to do an EqIA to allow you to comprehensively assess the impact of the proposal
if answering No to any part of questions 9 or 10 please justify your response and why you consider an EqIA is not required for this proposal in the box below
The actions proposed will improve the focus of delivery of the Council’s key priority to improve upon access to and speed of internet services across the Stirling area, particularly for those communities and citizens not currently anticipated to benefit from the Step Change Programme.
13. Who was involved in making this decision?
Brian Roberts, Senior Manager, Corporate Operations.
Authorisation by Lead Officer (Head of Service / Service Manager)
This decision has been approved Name Gerard O’Sullivan by (Director/Head of Service/
Senior Manager – delete as appropriate) Title Director of Corporate Operations.
Date 11 March 2016