The Executive will be asked to consider the results of the Council’s consultation on BT’s proposal to remove 80 payphones across Central Bedfordshire and make its Second decision on which phones it supports being removed and which phones should remain.

1.      That the Second Decision, which is to object to 37 payphones being removed and to agree to the removal of 43 payphones, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.       

2.      That BT be reminded of their duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that services are accessible and that it is not indirectly discriminating against the disabled or elderly by removing these payphones.     

3.      That BT be informed of any specific requests and suggestions received as part of the consultation regarding the future/alternative use of payphone kiosks.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Community Services that provided the results of the consultation on the Council’s First Decision in respect of the proposal from British Telecom (BT) to remove 80 payphones in Central Bedfordshire.  The report also proposed the Second Decision (and Final Notice) taking into account the responses received to the consultation.

The Executive Member for Community Services advised that the Council would support a recommendation from the Fire Authority that consideration should be given to using decommissioned payphone boxes to accommodate defibrillators.

Reason for decision:  The results of the second stage consultation showed that 75% of respondents supported the First Decision – to agree to the removal of 43 payphones and object to 37 being removed.  There was a clear rationale for keeping or removing each payphone, which was supported by the consultation feedback.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Second Decision, which was to object to 37 payphones being removed and to agree to the removal of 43 payphones, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved;

2.      that BT be reminded of their duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that services were accessible and that it was not indirectly discriminating against the disabled or elderly by removing these payphones; and

3.      that BT be informed of any specific requests and suggestions received as part of the consultation regarding the future/alternative use of payphone kiosks.