Approval sought to extend the current Superfast Broadband Extension project contract, and associated Council resource funding, following approval of additional external funding to increase coverage (up to £3.46 million) from the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership and Broadband Delivery UK.

1.      That the Council’s continued investment in rolling out superfast broadband be approved, and that the Council continues to seek and maximise the use of external funding sources to extend broadband coverage in line with the adopted Local Broadband Plan, in aiming to enable all premises to have access to next generation broadband access during 2020 in line with the aims of the adapted Joint Local Broadband Plan.  This includes utilising the maximum available additional SEMLEP Local Growth Fund contribution and BDUK match funding (of at least £3.46m).

2.      That an additional £200k of Council capital expenditure up to 2020 to support the rollout and take up broadband services, subject to securing the additional funding from SEMLEP, be approved.