Decision details

To enter into Grant Agreement with Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) to deliver the Super Connected Cities Programme in Leeds and Bradford.

The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of City Development submitted a joint report providing an update on the progress and issues arising with broadband investment projects and seeking approval to proceed with the Super Connected Cities (SCC) project on the basis of the main part of the project being a business voucher scheme, not an infrastructure scheme. Additionally, approval was sought for the proposed governance and risk management approach. Finally, the report sought agreement to proceed with recommendations to adopt a coherent approach to broadband investment.

The report highlighted the initiatives the Council had been working on to bring access to fast reliable broadband as an essential prerequisite for future economic growth. This work resulted in two partnership projects. Firstly with the West Yorkshire Local Broadband Plan (WYLBP) - a joint project with West Yorkshire Local Authorities and Central Government (as detailed in Appendix A of the report) to deliver superfast  broadband across West Yorkshire..

Secondly, a joint programme with Bradford which planned originally to deliver ultrafastopen access broadband infrastructure across the Leeds Bradford corridor. Due to considerable state aid issues the main element of this project is now a voucher scheme to SME businesses

RESOLVED -

a)  That approval be given to the delivery of the Super Connected City programme by Leeds City Council on behalf of the partnership subject to the signing of a partnership agreement between Leeds and Bradford councils which sets out the responsibilities of both parties.

b)  That expenditure of £12.87m for the delivery of the Super Connected Cities programme in Leeds and Bradford, allocated as £6.5105m for Leeds and £6.3595m for Bradford, 100% funded through BDUK, be noted

c)  That approval be given to the injection of; and authority be given to spend; £6.5105m of external funding into the capital programme (scheme reference 16662SCCCOM); subject to confirmation of funding from BDUK and a partnership agreement with Bradford Council. The remaining funds will be held for Bradford metropolitan district related expenditure.

d)  That authority be delegated to the Director of City Development, in consultation with the Executive Member for Development and the Economy, to take all actions required to deliver the Super Connected City programme. This includes;

·  approving individual schemes within the programme,

·  entering into a funding agreement on behalf of Leeds and Bradford councils with BDUK and any variations thereto,

·  entering into a partnership agreement with Bradford council which sets out the responsibilities of both parties

·  approving all other documentation required including grant, development and other agreements with third parties

·  establishing a fixed term temporary staffing structure to support the delivery of the programme.

e)  That the development of a coherent approach to addressing broadband issues across Leeds and West Yorkshire, to encompass communications with the public and businesses, be endorsed. This should include efforts to stimulate demand for broadband related services and to work with other council priorities as appropriate.

f)  To continue to lobby Government and infrastructure providers to deliver improved broadband infrastructure across the metropolitan district. The priority for the Council is to improve connectivity in the city centre and SCC Priority Zone.

g)  And to note:

·  The stages required to implement the decision as outlined in Appendix D of the submitted report;

·  Proposed timescales for implementation as outlined in Appendix D;

·  That the Head of Business Support will be responsible for implementation.

Briefings with Executive Member for Development and the Economy, Leader of the Council and Leader of the Opposition

Briefings with Executive Member for Development and Economy, Leader of the Council and Leader of the Opposition