Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 13
13
The National Audit Office report sets out how the Department intends to adopt a centralised...
Conclusion
The National Audit Office report sets out how the Department intends to adopt a centralised procurement for its gigabit programme, even though it considered the partnership approach that it used under the Superfast Programme to have been very successful. The report said that the knowledge and experience of local bodies had been critical to supporting delivery and overcoming obstacles during the superfast programme.31 The Department told us that although it intended to undertake the procurement directly under the future programme, it needs the continued involvement and expertise of Local Authorities and it is important to retain their skills and records of where and by whom broadband infrastructure has been installed with a public subsidy by participating in the Superfast Programme as outlined in paragraph 3.3 of the NAO report.32
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
3. 1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2021 3.2 Local authority teams are of significant value in supporting delivery of the new programme and be nefits realisation. 3.3 The government’s Barrier Busting Task Force is advising local authorities across the UK, including via its Digital Connectivity Portal. It also works with industry, local authorities and landowners to identify and remove barriers to deployment, including those that require changes to the law. 3.4 The department is working closely with the Local Government Association, through the ADEPT group, to agree the delivery model, specific roles and resource requirements for UK Gigabit. 3.5 The department is meeting with senior officials in each of the existing local authority partners to confirm alignment between the programme and their own strategic objectives. In general, local authorities have expressed commitment to supporting investment in local digital infrastructure. The department will monitor the situation in the light of ongoing financial pressures 3.6 The department’s programme delivery team includes a proactive field team based in the regions. Each local authority has a named resource within this team who works with them to continually assess options for increasing broadband coverage from across the department’s portfolio of interventions/programmes (Superfast, Local Full Fibre Networks, Rural Gigabit Connectivity, Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme) and the new UK Gigabit Programme. It also includes supporting them with other funding opportunities for digital infrastructure such as Region Deals, Town Deals and the £900 million Get Building Fund.