ITEM 2 EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY EXMOOR CONSULTATIVE AND PARISH FORUM MINUTES of the meeting of the Exmoor Consultative and Parish Forum held on Thursday 24 September 2015 at 7.00pm at The Moorland Hall, Wheddon Cross. PRESENT Steven Pugsley Exmoor National Park Authority and Chairman of the Forum John Anson Cutcombe Parish Council Matt Barrow Connecting Devon & Somerset Adrian Branfield Exmoor Uprising Keith Branfield Withypool & Hawkridge Parish Council Ron Buckingham Elworthy Parish Council Kevin Connell Winsford Parish Council Louise Crossman Invitee Marilyn Crothers Nettlecombe Parish Council Nigel Duke Luxborough Parish Council John Edwards Invitee Robert Edwards Treborough Parish Meeting Mike Ellicott Exford Parish Council Henry Harrington Invitee Suzette Hibbert Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council Bruce Heywood Exmoor National Park Authority and West Somerset Council Duncan Jeffray The Exmoor Society Dan Jones Airband Ivor Jones Exmoor National Park Authority and West Somerset Council Eric Ley Exmoor National Park Authority and North Devon Council Ann Maidment CLA Brian Martin Exmoor Tourism Susan May Exmoor Trust Karen Mills West Somerset Council Robin Milton Exmoor National Park Authority Bernard Peacock Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council Sir Richard Peek Exmoor National Park Authority and North Molton Parish Council Fred Rawle Exton Parish Council Alastair Rodway Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council Nick Thwaites Dulverton Town Council and West Somerset Council Debbie Wass Luxborough Parish Council Roger Webber Selworthy & Minehead Without Parish Council Lizzie Whitchurch Cosmic Vivian White Exmoor National Park Authority and Cutcombe Parish Council Katherine Williams Exmoor Hill Farming Network Pat Williams Withypool & Hawkridge Parish Council James Wilmoth Wootton Courtenay Parish Council 1. Apologies for absence were received from: Arabella Amory Invitee Andrea Davis Exmoor National Park Authority and Devon County Council Simon Derby Invitee Dr Roger Ferrar Invitee Lady Gass Invitee 1 Molly Groves Exmoor Uprising Nick Holliday Exmoor National Park Authority Jeremy Holtom Parracombe Parish Council Christine Lawrence Exmoor National Park Authority and Somerset County Council Ann Mallelieu Invitee Ron Morrison-Smith Invitee Frances Nicholson Exmoor National Park Authority and Somerset County Council Keith Ross Dulverton Town Council Evelyn Stacey Exmoor Tourism Rachel Thomas The Exmoor Society Penny Webber Exmoor National Park Authority and Minehead & Selworthy Without Parish Council John Wibberley Exmoor National Park Authority Alan Wright Exmoor National Park Authority and Porlock Parish Council National Park Authority staff in attendance: Nigel Stone, Chief Executive David Wyborn, Head of Planning & Sustainable Development Dan James, Sustainable Economy Manager Ellie Woodcock, Assistant Personnel and Corporate Support Officer 2. MINUTES: The minutes of the Forum meeting held on 11 June 2015 were agreed as a correct record. MATTERS ARISING: There were no matters arising. 3. QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR: There were no questions from the floor. 4. CONNECTING DEVON & SOMERSET AND CONNECTING DARTMOOR & EXMOOR: Dan James, Sustainable Economy Manager, gave an overview of these programmes and the following points were reported: Connecting Dartmoor and Exmoor would aim to bring superfast broadband using wireless technology to some of Dartmoor and Exmoor’s remote rural areas. The programme was being led by Connecting Somerset and Devon (CDS) which would bring superfast broadband to places that would not otherwise be connected by commercial providers. In line with the Government’s current targets, three phases for this programme to give all access to superfast broadband were set: Phase 1 would increase superfast broadband access to 90% of all homes and businesses in Devon and Somerset, and to an estimated 60% of premises within the National Parks by the end of 2016. This phase was being delivered by BT using fibre to the cabinet. Additional funding secured through the Rural Community Broadband Fund would enable reach to be extended to 69% of premises within the Exmoor National Park. Phase 2 would increase superfast broadband coverage across Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks and reach an estimated 96% of premises by the end of 2017. In addition it would also give access to a minimum speed of 10Mbs to virtually all premises not covered by superfast in this area. 2 Phase 3 would give superfast access to 100% of premises (anticipated by 2020, though central Government have yet to announce any funding or criteria). Exmoor was hosting two pilot areas (Luxborough and Exmoor Parishes) using a mix of satellite and wireless technologies. This project would be testing the technology and customer experience, use and uptake, which in turn would inform future plans for the delivery of the final 5% in Phase 3. In bringing this programme together and securing additional funding, much of the work undertaken “behind the scenes” by Authority staff was commended and without this commitment would have resulted in only 50% coverage being achieved. Matt Barrow, from Connecting Devon and Somerset, reported to the Forum progress and future activity of the programme, which included: At the end of June 2015 over 50% of Phase 1 had been completed with 86% of premises capable of accessing superfast broadband. Timescales for cabinets, spend and premises passed were all on target. In July 2015, coverage to 4,067 premises on Exmoor was reported with more expected through BT Phase 1 and Airband. Additional funding had been secured through the Rural Communities Broadband Fund and the Broadband Innovation Fund. As part of Phase 2, the Superfast Extension Programme would aim to increase superfast broadband availability to 95%. Airband were the successful tender to deliver improved broadband speed through a fixed wireless solution to Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks. Using local suppliers, work would start almost immediately and the completion date would now be due before the end of the 2016 deadline. With regard to future activity, Phase 1 would be completed. The procurement process for a supplier(s) for the main Superfast Extension Programme would take place this autumn and by spring 2016, it was hoped a supplier would be identified. State Aid clearance would also be obtained during this time. The “take up” for superfast broadband would be extremely important. Customers were urged to shop around for the best package and it was estimated that a new superfast package would cost around £15 per month. Details of Airband subscription would be available soon. More information about accessing superfast broadband was available by: Regular tweets when the latest cabinets go live via Twitter @DCCSCCBroadband Visit www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk where you can search your postcode to check on superfast broadband in your area Contacting your internet service provider to ask if superfast broadband is available to you Contact Matt Barrow, Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Connecting Devon and Somerset, at [email protected] or visit www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk Lizzie Whitchurch, from Cosmic, introduced the ‘Get up to Speed’ programme (funded by Devon and Somerset Councils). This programme was being delivered by the Cosmic Peninsula Consortium, on behalf of Connecting Devon and Somerset. The programme would support and help businesses and communities by delivering training and advice across Devon and Somerset, improving ICT skills and knowledge. Communities would be shown the benefits of superfast broadband to isolated communities and businesses, such as keeping in touch with family or the use of social media for marketing a business. Successful workshops had already taken place which had proved to be popular and others could be arranged to take place at parish council meetings, village halls or at local pubs. 3 For information on advice and support that could be given in your community, visit www.get- up-to-speed.co.uk. Dan Jones, from Airband, explained the company would deliver superfast broadband using wireless technology, similar to Wifi. Airband had 12 years experience of delivering wireless solutions in hard to reach areas and would provide fast internet using the latest in fixed wireless microwave technology, bringing speeds of 30Mbps to 1Gbps. The equipment was produced in Ashburton, Devon, and designed for this type of terrain. It was used worldwide so Airband were confident that this package would work on Exmoor. To ensure minimal landscape impacts, transmitters and receivers would be located on a range of existing structures in most instances, such as commercial masts, buildings, telegraph poles and trees. The units were small and designed to have a low impact on the landscape. With regard to cost, installation was quick and often much cheaper than fibre. Other benefits included: There would be no need to dig up roads or landscapes. Telephone services could be run through broadband without the need for a land line. 24 hour customer service. Largest wireless network in the UK. Cost and speed would be aligned to the rest of the UK. Airband were currently undertaking detailed surveys of Dartmoor and Exmoor to analyse strength, coverage and transmitter locations and a list of properties covered would be produced. For further questions or concerns, contact Dan Jones, Project Manager, dan.jones@air- band.net or 07883 464353. Dan James summarised the next steps: During October planning applications for the siting of transmitters