Agenda item - Greater Brighton Full Fibre

Report of the Chief Executive, Mid Sussex District Council

1)             That the Board support the opportunity to join other partners in the sub region and prioritise the development of full fibre digital infrastructure for the Greater Brighton area and work cooperatively to secure funding opportunities to achieve this aim.

2)             That the Board notes the contents of the report and the activities of partner authorities and expresses its support for the development of full fibre digital infrastructure as a part of the economic development approach for the sub region that is entirely consistent with the Government’s Industrial Strategy

14.1      The Board considered a report of the Chair, Greater Brighton Officer Programme Board that requested approval to commit to working alongside other bodies and stakeholders to bring full fibre connectivity to the region.

14.2      Prof. Humphries stated that a key issue appeared to be the installation of ducting and asked if that could be facilitated through the planning process.

14.3      Simon Hughes confirmed that direction could be given through planning policies and Mid Sussex District Council had specific policies on fibre and ducting.

14.4      Geoff Raw stated it would be useful to receive more information on the work currently being undertaken and where private sector funding was coming from. Geoff Raw added that the matter perhaps required a more strategic discussion between the relevant local authorities.

14.5      Andrew Swayne welcomed the report noting that the South Downs National Park Authority was currently debating the issue of broadband connectivity. Andrew Swayne stated that there were not only economic benefits to Full Fibre but also opportunities for social value such as decreasing social isolation.

14.6      RESOLVED-

1)           That the Board support the opportunity to join other partners in the sub region and prioritise the development of full fibre digital infrastructure for the Greater Brighton area and work cooperatively to secure funding opportunities to achieve this aim.

2)           That the Board notes the contents of the report and the activities of partner authorities and expresses its support for the development of full fibre digital infrastructure as a part of the economic development approach for the sub region that is entirely consistent with the Government’s Industrial Strategy