Decision details

Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator (DCIA) pilot

Decision Maker: Chief Executive, West of England Combined Authority

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

In January 2021, the Combined Authority Committee granted delegated authority to the Combined Authority’s Chief Executive to take a decision on the use of the £1m Innovation for Renewal and Opportunity influence fund in consultation with the Chief Executives of the West of England Combined Authority constituent councils.

Working closely with Business & Skills Directors across the constituent councils and the telecoms industry, the Combined Authority has successfully secured the DCMS funding required to deliver a West of England Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator (DCIA) pilot.

The pilot is expected to deliver the following benefits:
• Better access to digital connectivity for residents and business due to accelerated roll-out of wireless networks across the region.
• Faster deployment of digital infrastructure as local councils can more easily share data with mobile companies, improve access to publicly owned sites, and speed up site acquisition.
• Lower costs and efficiencies for local authorities and network providers by making the transactions between public sector location asset owners and telecommunications companies simpler and quicker.
• Increased utilisation of publicly owned assets in line with community interests and place-making ambitions
• Building public sector expertise and capacity to support the rapid deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.

Decision:

Approval was given to an allocation of £250,000 from the Influence Fund to the costs of the DCIA pilot.

Alternative options considered:

Not applicable in relation to this specific decision, i.e. this was the option considered.

Publication date: 23/01/2022

Date of decision: 20/01/2022

Accompanying Documents: