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: