Issue details

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.