Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Councillor Andrew Gibson attended the meeting as a Conservative substitute to fill the current vacancy.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 January 2021.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 19 January 2021 were reviewed and agreed as a correct record.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations on this occasion.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman thanked Members for their contribution to this Committee over the last four years and particularly during the pandemic.

To receive a presentation from County Council officers alongside Openreach giving an update on Broadband matters within Hampshire.

The Committee received presentations from both the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services and Openreach giving an update on the progress of the Hampshire Superfast Broadband Programme and an overview of the developing Government plans for gigabit coverage. The Committee also received a presentation from representatives of Openreach on its delivery of the Broadband Programme.

In response to Members questions, the Committee were advised on the following matters:

·         Details of the current Broadband availability checker -

·         The Demand-led Scheme “GoFundMe” page and pledge to take up funding 

·         A report which Openreach commissioned to highlight benefits of Full-Fibre

·         Details of the Government’s “Outside In” programme to help residents not living close to FTTC

RESOLVED:

That the presentations be noted.

To consider the Committee’s forthcoming work programme.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Transformation and Governance – Corporate Services detailing topics within the work programme.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be agreed.