North County Council

Business and Environmental Services

Executive Members

23 April 2019

Acceptance of bid for provision of wireless managed services in the Area

Report of the Assistant Director – Technology and Change

Appendices A and B attached to this report contain information considered to be exempt of the type defined in paragraph 3 or Part 1 of Schedule 12A Local Government Act 1972 ) as amended

1.0 Purpose Of Report

1.1 To report the decision of the outcome of a tender process carried out under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 and in partnership with Harrogate Borough (HBC) for the provision of wireless network services in Harrogate District’s urban centres.

1.2 The contract is due to commence in May 2019 for an initial term of three years; with three optional extension periods up to 10 years. Formal approval from the Corporate Director – Business and Environmental Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Access to accept the bid and enter into the contract is required due to its value.

2.0 Background

2.1 NYCC and HBC (the Authorities) are working in partnership to deliver modern telecommunication networks and ‘smart’ solutions linked to local objectives in Harrogate District. A shared work programme includes smart parking in Harrogate Town, improving mobile connectivity in rural areas, the roll-out of fibre broadband and, relevant to this report, public WiFi and Low Powered Wide Area Networks (LPWANs).

2.2 Public WiFi has become a key offer in a competitive town/city or event space. It improves access to social media and, via associated channels, real-time destination information. It provides data and insight on how people interact with town/city centres so as to effectively target public realm interventions and, consequently, enhance a local authority’s place shaping and destination management capabilities. Govroam and Eduroam (delivered via WiFi) also provide public sector employees and students with the opportunity to work flexibly.

2.3 LPWANs present exciting opportunities for businesses and public services in the district. Sensor-based ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) solutions can provide cost savings, efficiencies and new business insights. The provision of LPWANs support the ambitions outlined in the Harrogate District Economic Growth Strategy 2018-2035.

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3.0 Procurement

3.1 HBC successfully secured £350,000 from the Business Rates Pool in August 2018 to support the delivery of wireless networks. A formal market engagement exercise then refined the Authorities requirements and approach; with a mobile visitor app and digital information kiosks omitted from a final procurement specification. It was also evident that a concession-based delivery model would not allow for a competitive procurement exercise.

3.2 A tender opportunity was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union, the Government’s Contracts Finder portal and the Yortender portal. The Authorities sought a managed services provider to:  Install and operate outdoor public access WiFi across the mandatory coverage areas of Harrogate, and , with , and to be incorporated if/when viable.  Provide temporary WiFi capacity for visitors to the UCI World Cycling Championships in September 2019.  Design, install, manage and maintain a LPWAN to support IoT deployment and associated solutions.  Collect, manage and present data from the above platforms (including pedestrian monitoring).  Deliver a portfolio of ‘smart solutions’ or to work with other commercial solutions providers in an integration role.

3.3 The evaluation criteria was set at a price:quality weighting of 25:75. In terms of quality, bids were assessed on coverage, technical/operations, plan/timescales, user experience, sales/marketing, community benefits and legal/contract. Price was evaluated on confidence in the charge to the Authorities, as well as the asset rental payable for utilising Authority assets, the approach to revenue generation and subsequent share for the Authorities.

3.4 Attached at Appendix A is the outcome of the evaluation, the ranking of the bids and the initial three year contract price for the preferred solution.

4.0 Delivery

4.1 A phased delivery will initially see WiFi installed in Harrogate and Ripon prior to the UCI World Cycling Championships in September 2019. WiFi will then be installed in Knaresborough and LPWAN in Harrogate.

4.2 The Authorities’ share of generated revenue will be used to expand wireless coverage and associated services across the borough of Harrogate. The contract will complement this approach and the Authorities will not be required to retender as funding becomes available.

4.3 A workshop took place with public sector partners in October 2018 to explore the potential for smart solutions to address local challenges. Initial areas of focus were health/assisted living, transport/air quality and housing/property. Further work will look to develop business cases for solutions that are enabled by the provision of wireless networks.

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5.0 Required Assessments and Implications

5.1 The following were considered: Financial Implications; Human Resources Implications; Legal Implications; ICT Implications; Strategic Property/Asset Management Considerations; Risk Assessment; Equality and Diversity (the Public Sector Equality Duty and impact upon people with protected characteristics). If applicable, the outcomes of any consultations, assessments, considerations and implications considered necessary during preparation of this report are detailed below.

6.0 Finance

6.1 The cost will be met via the money secured through the Leeds City Region Business Rates Pool and the remainder from the approved Harrogate Borough Council ICT Development Plan (funded by the Harrogate Borough Council Investment Reserve). The Harrogate Business Improvement District is to consider their level of funding for the project at the next board meeting.

6.2 NYCC are not providing any actual funding for this initiative. Our contribution will be in the form of asset utilisation eg NYCC buildings and lighting columns for attaching WiFi and LPWAN equipment to.

6.3 To clarify – The supplier will maintain the equipment and this is within the contracted price. The contract is for an initial 3 years.

6.4 Any conflict between NYCC and contractor in relation to assets e.g. If the column breaks and needs to be fixed – Whilst this is not yet formalised, it is expected that this will form part of the wayleave to be agreed with NYCC, which will be the first action once the contract has been awarded. Loss of columns for whatever reason, will result affected access points being moved by the supplier.

7.0 Legal

7.1 A procurement exercise has been conducted by HBC on behalf of both Authorities in accordance with the rules contained in the Public Contract Regulations 2015 for competitive procedure with negotiation. Further detail is provided in Appendix B.

8.0 Equality

8.1 The proposal is intended to have a positive outcome for all groups. Specific considerations:  The WiFi user interface will be accessible for people with protected characteristics (design for all).  LPWANs afford the local authorities an opportunity to improve services for people with protected characteristics  An Equalities Impact Assessment has been carried out. Further detail is provided in appendix C.

9.0 Conclusion

9.1 Wireless network provision supports numerous corporate objectives whilst advancing both national and local digital/economic agendas.

9.2 Following the outcome of the joint evaluation, it is recommended that the tripartite contract is awarded to Bidder A. NYCC – 23 April 2019 - Executive Members Acceptance of bid for provision of wireless managed services/3

10.0 Recommendation

10.1 It is recommended that the Corporate Director – Business and Environmental Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Access agree to award the contract for the provision of managed wireless networks and associated services to Bidder A for an initial three year period with effect from 1 May 2019.

ROBERT LING Assistant Director Technology and Change

Author of Report: Nick Leggott

Background Documents: None

NYCC – 23 April 2019 - Executive Members Acceptance of bid for provision of wireless managed services/4 Appendix C

Initial equality impact assessment screening form (As of October 2015 this form replaces ‘Record of decision not to carry out an EIA’)

This form records an equality screening process to determine the relevance of equality to a proposal, and a decision whether or not a full EIA would be appropriate or proportionate.

Directorate Business & Environmental Services & Central Services Service area Highways & Transportation (BES) and T&C (CS) Proposal being screened Provision of wireless managed services in the Harrogate Borough Area Officer(s) carrying out screening Nick Leggott What are you proposing to do? Joint venture with Harrogate BC to install Public WiFi and LPWAN technology in the Harrogate Borough Area. Why are you proposing this? What NYCC and HBC (the local authorities) are are the desired outcomes? working in partnership to deliver modern telecommunication networks and ‘smart’ solutions linked to local objectives in Harrogate District. A shared work programme includes smart parking in Harrogate Town, improving mobile connectivity in rural areas, the roll-out of fibre broadband and, relevant to this report, public WiFi and Low Powered Wide Area Networks (LPWANs). Does the proposal involve a No significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details. Impact on people with any of the following protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010, or NYCC’s additional agreed characteristic As part of this assessment, please consider the following questions:  To what extent is this service used by particular groups of people with protected characteristics?  Does the proposal relate to functions that previous consultation has identified as important?  Do different groups have different needs or experiences in the area the proposal relates to?

If for any characteristic it is considered that there is likely to be a significant adverse impact or you have ticked ‘Don’t know/no info available’, then a full EIA should be carried out where this is proportionate. You are advised to speak to your Equality rep for advice if you are in any doubt.

Protected characteristic Yes No Don’t know/No info available Age X Disability X Sex (Gender) X Race X Sexual orientation X Gender reassignment X Religion or belief X

NYCC – 23 April 2019 - Executive Members Acceptance of bid for provision of wireless managed services/5 Appendix C

Pregnancy or maternity X Marriage or civil partnership X NYCC additional characteristic People in rural areas X People on a low income X Carer (unpaid family or friend) X Does the proposal relate to an area No where there are known inequalities/probable impacts (e.g. disabled people’s access to public transport)? Please give details. Will the proposal have a significant No effect on how other organisations operate? (e.g. partners, funding criteria, etc.). Do any of these organisations support people with protected characteristics? Please explain why you have reached this conclusion. Decision (Please tick one option) EIA not No Continue to n/a relevant or full EIA: proportionate: Reason for decision The proposal is intended to have a positive outcome for all groups. Specific considerations:

The WiFi user interface will be accessible for people with protected characteristics (design for all).

LPWANs afford the local authorities an opportunity to improve services for people with protected characteristics Signed (Assistant Director or Robert Ling equivalent) Date 12/04/2019

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