Decision details

Greater Manchester Local Full Fibre Networks Programme

Decision Maker: Director Finance and Systems

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

1. Under delegated authority, to sign and seal the Grant Funding Agreement between Trafford Council, DCMS, GMCA, and other GM Local Authorities for the GM Local Full Fibre Network programme.

 

2. Under delegated authority, to sign the Inter Authority Agreement between Trafford Council, GMCA, and other GM Local Authorities for the GM Local Full Fibre Network programme.

 

3. Under delegated authority, to sign and seal the Service Contract between Trafford Council and Virgin Media Business for the GM Local Full Fibre Network programme.

Reasons for the decision:

Increasing full fibre to premises coverage across the region is a key component of the GM Digital strategy and supports Trafford Council’s Green and Connected priority. Participation in this programme aims to increase full fibre to premises coverage from 2% to 25% over the next three years which is expected to bring a wealth of economic and digital benefits to the borough. The programme also incorporates coordinated highways approaches across Greater Manchester to remove barriers to private investment in fibre networks.

Alternative options considered:

Trafford Council could continue with its existing approach to procuring a fibre network for public buildings. This would use the traditional approach of bundling the fibre in the ground, along with the services that operate over the fibre, from a single supplier typically for a 4-5 year period. This would not involve leasing the fibre over 20 years and may mean that Trafford doesn’t benefit from an expected growth of private fibre to premises across the borough, and subsequent economic growth realised by GM localities participating in the programme.

Publication date: 23/03/2020

Date of decision: 23/03/2020

Accompanying Documents: