Decision details

1.  Approval to inject external funds into the capital programme and authority to spend.

2.  Authority to deliver the West Yorkshire local broadband project on behalf of the council and other West Yorkshire local authorities.

3.  Authority to enter into all necessary contractual documentation.

The Director of Resources and the Director of City Development submitted a joint report informing of the progress that had been made on the West Yorkshire Local Broadband (WYLB) project. In addition the report also sought approval in respect of a proposed injection of external funding from BDUK and ERDF into the capital programme.

It was noted that Board Members had been provided with an updated version of the table detailed within paragraph 4.4.4 of the submitted report, for their consideration.

Members discussed the progress which had been made to date on the scheme, highlighting issues arising from the Government’s Super Connected Cities (SCC) initiative, and the associated State Aid implications.  In conclusion, Members noted the work being undertaken to progress the programme and requested that further update reports be submitted to the Board in due course for consideration. 

Following consideration of Appendix A to the submitted report, designated as exempt under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (3), which was considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the delivery of the West Yorkshire Local Broadband project by Leeds City Council on behalf of the partnership be approved.

(b)  That approval be given for £2,100,700 of external funding to be injected into Capital Scheme Reference 16662.

(c)  That Authority to Spend within the capital programme scheme reference 16662 be approvedfor the sum of £2,100,700,  on the installation of broadband infrastructure in the administrative areas of the WYLB Authorities.

(d)  That the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of City Development in order to authorise entering into a contract with the preferred bidder for the supply of the works and services, as described within the submitted report  and for the sum described within paragraph 3.4 of the submitted report.

(e)  That the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of City Development in order to authorise entering into funding agreements with BDUK and DCLG for £4,615,000 and £3,787,800 respectively.

(f)  That further update reports on this matter be submitted to the Board in due course for consideration. 

(The matters referred to within this minute were not eligible for Call In as being subject to call in may adversely affect the critical project timetable which requires contract signature at the earliest possible date. In addition, it was not possible to submit an earlier report to te Board as the tender (and the information set out in exempt appendix A) was not submitted until 11^th July 2013, which was too late to meet July Executive Board submission deadlines).

Executive Member and Lead Members for Development and the Economy

The Leader of the Council, Director of City Development and Director of Resources.