Agenda item

Rob Wood and Henry Kippin presented a report on the successful bid for regional test-bed status as part of the Government’s Urban Connected Communities programme (UCC). They explained the substantial benefits for the region and that this was part of a national effort to accelerate the deployment of next-generation mobile connectivity in the UK with the West Midlands’ leading the way.

In response to a question from the Chair, Rob Wood outlined the purpose of creating two separate companies was in order to distance delivery from local government and to attract private sector investment. Councillor Mike Bird enquired as to the salary and expenses structure for those employed and/or engaged in WM5G limited (the Delivery Entity). Rob Wood explained that this was still under development. Sean Pearce added that an application would be made to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport via submission of a Full Business Cases at the appropriate time. Councillor Mike Bird asked whether any discussions had yet been held with Network Providers and if a representative from such a company could be approached to Chair the Board. Sean Pearce confirmed that this would be the intended approach.

Councillor Tony Jefferson questioned how the benefits would be measured and monitored. Rob Wood advised that some benefits would be easily identified whilst other would benefit large numbers of people in small ways and therefore would be difficult to measure.

Councillor Mike Bird referred to the current financial shortfall. Henry Kippin advised that the programme was being worked through and would bring extensive coverage over time across the region. Three test-beds were to be established in the Black Country, Coventry/Solihull and Birmingham and that these would lead to private sector investment. The public sector was lowering the barriers to investment with a view to encouraging private sector investment. The drawdown of Government funding was dependent upon public and private sector investment.

The Chair commented that information was required on the current state of the infrastructure across the region. Henry Kippin advised that a mapping exercise was underway. Councillor Mike Bird enquired as to the type of infrastructure required in terms of design. Henry Kippin reported that this would not require the installation of new large masts but would involve a mix of masts and small cell technology with the additional infrastructure being incorporated into the Public Realm such as on lamp posts etc. and that planning permission and wayleave agreements would be required. Councillor Mike Bird reminded the Board that in some local authorities such equipment had been provided via Private Finance Initiative funding and was therefore not in the ownership of the local authorities. Similarly, some local authorities had made policy decisions precluding the installation of telecommunications equipment on council owned buildings.

Resolved:

That the West Midlands Combined Authority Board be recommended as follows:

1.    That the participation by the WMCA in the WM5G project as detailed in the report be endorsed;

2.    That the proposed governance structure for the WM5G Project and grant for the Joint Venture and Delivery Entity to be incorporated and the Enduring Grant Agreement entered into (including any associated ancillary documentation) in conjunction with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport be endorsed;

3.    That an allocation of £4.75 million to the Delivery Entity to be allocated to projects using the governance structure as detailed in the report be approved;

4.    That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of this Board on the various points now raised;

5.    That a quarterly monitoring report on the WM5G Project be submitted to this Board.