Issue - meetings

Following consideration of the report, Cabinet resolved:

1.   To endorse that the Leader approves the proposals for the allocation of the business rate pool as recommended by the West Sussex Full Fibre Programme Board.

2.   To delegate to the Executive Director of Place Services the authority to implement the programme, including any project level key decisions, in consultation with West Sussex Councils’ Chief Executives Group and the Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Relations. 

The call-in deadline is 27 February 2020.

42.1  The Committee considered a report by Executive Director of Place Services (copy appended to the signed minutes). 

42.2  Mr Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Resources, introduced the report and thanked officers for their work on the project. He confirmed that the full fibre project was shifting to focus on gigabit, which would provide greater speeds and therefore enable the use of more advanced technologies.   

42.3  Mrs Joy Dennis, Chairman of the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee confirmed support for the project, recognising that the Committee had not had input into the current decision, and would welcome a process to do so.

42.4  Mr Michael Jones, Leader of the Labour Group commented on the potential risk of the works on the street scene and pavements and the need to ensure that pavements are repaired to an appropriate standard. 

42.5  Cabinet were very supportive of the proposals and recognised the Countywide economic benefit that the project would have and welcomed the County Council using its position to help stimulate the local economy and business.

42.6  Cabinet also endorsed the partnership working with the district and boroughs on the project and welcomed the use of the pooled business rates. 

42.7 Cabinet recognised the importance of having assurance from any contractors being used for the groundworks to ensure pavements are restored to a good standard and that the guidance on this should be robust.  A ‘dig once’ approach should be adopted to ensure there is minimum disruption to residents. 

42.8  RESOLVED -  That Cabinet:

1.   Endorses that the Leader approves the proposals for the allocation of the business rate pool as recommended by the West Sussex Full Fibre Programme Board.

2.   Delegates to the Executive Director of Place Services the authority to implement the programme, including any project level key decisions, in consultation with West Sussex Councils’ Chief Executives Group and the Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Relations.