Wifi on the agenda for rural areas
Broadband group meets
Broadband and WiFi, particularly in the rural areas, will be in firm focus at an event next week.
The Broadband Delivery Group (BDG) holds its next meeting on Wednesday with discussions set to include ensuring money allocated to rural broadband is safeguarded for rural areas.
The group, chaired by Councillor Jeremy McDonald, comprises community representatives, council officers and councillors. Often the local MP and MSPs are represented and there are senior representatives from BT and Digtal Scotland in attendance.
Stirling Council’s finance and economy committee yesterday (Thursday) approved an initiative to investigate ways of increasing community access to the internet to help boost tourism and grow the local economy, exploring the creation of free wi-fi for the region’s city and rural town centres.
As part of the proposals, groups, such as community councils, development trusts, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and community enterprises, could be able to submit a business case that would empower them to own, manage and take control of their own wi-fi service.
The council would also seek to appoint a broadband project officer to support any communities who were successful.
Tory councillors Neil Benny and Ross Oxburgh had sought to defer a decision to enable another option to be looked at after voicing concerns that funding earmarked for rural communities could end up being used in urban areas.
However, Labour and SNP members voted to go ahead after officials said the focus at this time was the initiative itself and that other funding avenues, including the City Region Deal, may be available.
Committee convener, Councillor Margaret Brisley, said: “Wi-Fi can provide many benefits to both individuals and whole communities, from helping drive greater footfall, supporting the economy, creating jobs and also making it easier for residents and visitors to access information about the area. As we move into a digital age it is important the council investigates every avenue in which we can help our residents to profit from this technology.”
The BDG meeting on Wednesday will discuss the potential for Stirling Council to support rural connectivity by directly financing works in those areas that have not been included in the current Digital Scotland (DSSB) programme that is due to end by December 2018.
There have been a number of postcode areas put forward to BT and DSSB to obtain a cost estimate for enabling works. This is expected to be completed by the end of the year to enable a decision to be made regarding their funding.
Of this year’s £300,000 council budget for rural broadband, there is £218,000 left in the pot. Despite the current DSSB programme connecting nearly 90 per cent of properties across the council area, a significant number of communities and properties are still struggling with uncompetitive speeds and/or very expensive individual solutions.
The BDG will consider the committee reports and also receive an update on the Ben Gullipen mast project and the Balquhidder Community Project that has started to be delivered.
Stirling Council officials are also attending a UK Government ‘Challenge Fund’ Initiative on December 12 which could potentially provide direct financial support.
BDG chairman Councillor McDonald said: “I want the meeting next week to carefully scrutinise these reports. This group has been invaluable with its knowledgeable community members ensuring the council maintains its focus and seizes the opportunity to connect all our communities.
“I am very concerned there is a proposal to fund the WiFi costs from the money allocated to rural broadband. We cannot spend the same money twice and we must ensure our communities get decent broadband above all else so there will need to be a clear commitment that there will be enough money to get both jobs done. We also have to explore how we can seek funding from the UK Government direct through the Challenge fund being set up.”