Loading
There is no summary of this meeting yet. Summaries are written once the council publishes the minutes, which are its official record of what a meeting decided. They usually appear a few weeks after the meeting.
Response by the Cabinet Member: Thank you for your questions regarding broadband connectivity, apologises for the late response. There are 2 schemes that are currently ongoing in Mid Wales as identified below. The ABC scheme provides grants that fund a fast broadband connection where superfast broadband is not available. Individuals, businesses and third sector organisations are all eligible to apply. The scheme has been paused to new applications since 7th August 2024 so that essential work to improve its operation could be undertaken. I can now announce that this work has been completed, and that the scheme is now live. The fundamental purpose of the scheme has not changed and so it will continue to offer a targeted, flexible and responsive connectivity safety net to those that need it. While the core purpose of the scheme remains unchanged, PCC have adjusted how it will operate, and we have improved and updated the scheme’s underlying administrative and operational architecture. A key change to the scheme involves dividing the grant funding award separately by installation costs and equipment costs. This change allows applicants additional flexibility and also supports our ability to track, monitor and compare market trends in each cost category. Extensive changes have also been made to the scheme’s guidance and administration processes to better meet the needs of applicants. Finally, the scheme’s online application tool has been overhauled to support these changes while also improving the user application experience. Further information on the Access Broadband Cymru scheme and access to the online application tool can be found at www.gov.wales/broadband-in-wales All other alternative funding sources, whether from Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) under UK Central Government funding schemes or from the Welsh Government, are on hold. This pause is due to the recent announcement regarding the regional procurement by Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), which includes an award for the deployment of fibre gigabit broadband across the Growing Mid Wales region (Lot 43C). This impacts all other funding avenues while the procurement process is finalised over the coming months. We are currently waiting for absolute confirmation of all addresses to be included. You can find current information on the Project Gigabit framework agreement through Openreach at the following link: Project Gigabit framework agreement – Openreach - GOV.UK which BDUK have committed to update as plans solidify. Powys County Council cannot request connectivity to this scheme as it is a scheme which is delivered by UK Government. Should you require any further information or assistance in navigating these processes, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
The council hasn't recorded attendance for this meeting.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.