Minute 38

… In response to a question, Councillor Phil Twiss informed the committee that he would know more about the SEP funding shortly but the timescales were not expected to be kept. Work was being undertaken to see if the SEP could be extended to open to other providers other than BT.

RECOMMENDED

that clarification is sought from the Connecting Devon and Somerset team, and reported to members, at the earliest opportunity as to whether the SSDC/EDDC element of the potential £22.75 million SEP funding can be redirected to an alternative provider outside of the Connecting Devon and Somerset Programme;

that clarification is sought from the Connecting Devon and Somerset team, and reported to members on whether the original objectives of the BDUK project was to provide improved access for rural residents to Superfast Broadband, in recognition of the fact that such access is now seen as essential in modern domestic and business life, or was it also to support cheaper provision to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in more urban areas. Members would also like to have the position on state aid to businesses clarified in relation to this point;