Issue - meetings

To consider an update on progress on the development of the Blackpool Local Full Fibre Network Plan.

Mr Tony Doyle, Head of Information Computer Technology Services and Mr Steve Thompson, Director of Resources presented an update on progress on the development of the Blackpool Local Full Fibre Network. It was reported that the Council had joined a broadband co-operative which had helped with State Aid compliance and being signed off by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to access grant funding.

The Committee asked if any consideration had been given using the network to encourage digital innovation similar to the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool. Mr Doyle responded that the Council had a Digital Strategy to ensure that Blackpool gained a benefit from the development of the network. He added that the Business In The Community Group had also indicated that it would support the development of a Blackpool TechHub to promote digital innovation in the town. Members were also informed that the Department for Work and Pension’s DWP Digital would be hosting a ‘GovJam Hackathon’ at the Winter Gardens during October 2019 where attendees would be presented with a problem and invited to creatively solve the issue using digital solutions.

Members also queried why guest houses located at Saint Chad’s had been chosen by Co-Operative members to demonstrate the network’s capability. It was suggested that Blackpool schools could have been a more appropriate location. Mr Doyle replied that the criteria for funding the network at the current stage required the property connected to be within a certain distance of the network connection, which the guest houses selected were. He also added that all the schools in Blackpool already benefited from a separate full fibre connection.