Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Healey introduced the report which proposed the development of Open Access Agreements in Flintshire with the first one to be signed with Freshwave Facilities Limited and others to follow.

The Council Plan and Digital Strategy highlight the importance of improving digital connectivity in Flintshire for residents and businesses.  Connectivity had grown in importance over recent years to enable social interaction, access to information and services, education, and employment whether from home or in other locations.  Despite this, mobile connectivity remained poor in many areas of the County.

UK Government was encouraging local government to use Open Access Agreements to make it easier for the Mobile Network Operators to invest in improved connectivity through the use of the Council’s Street furniture assets.

The recommendations had been considered and endorsed by the Environment and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 16^th July 2024.

The Community and Business Protection Manager highlighted section 1.09 of the report which explained what Open Access Agreements were, specifically highlighting that they would be cost neutral to the Council. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That Cabinet supports the proposed development of Open Access Agreements as a tool to improve digital connectivity in Flintshire;

(b)       That delegated authority be given to the Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to sign the proposed Open Access Agreement with Freshwave Facilities Limited and to amend the agreement in the future as required; and

(c)        That delegated authority is given to the Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to develop and amend further Open Access Agreements with other companies.