Agenda item

A report was submitted which presented the draft South Yorkshire Digital Infrastructure Strategy.  In 2020, the consultant Arcadis had been commissioned to provide support to the MCA/LEP and partners to prepare a South Yorkshire Digital Infrastructure Strategy.  The SCR Housing and Infrastructure Board had developed the Final Draft Strategy and had recommended its approval, with a lead input provided by the Board’s Co-Chair LEP representative.

The Board noted the three areas within the SEP which identified the digital targets and ambitions i.e. digital infrastructure, digital skills, innovation and business support.  The COVID-19 pandemic had highlighted the importance of having a strong digital connectivity for businesses and communities.  Poor connectivity within communities had impacted upon access to training, education and job opportunities.  As part of the process, engagement had been made with many different private sector Board Members, to ensure that the needs of all different types of businesses were addressed moving forwards.

The South Yorkshire Digital Infrastructure Strategy sought to address the following key challenges:-

·           Over the next 5 year period, a total of 160,000 premises within South Yorkshire had not been scheduled to receive ‘gigabit-capable’ broadband by the industry.

·           A gigabit broadband connectivity would be rolled out throughout South Yorkshire, to build upon the success of the Superfast South Yorkshire broadband programme.

·           To ensure that local businesses were aware of and to exploit the 5G opportunities, and to ensure a more consistent regional approach.

·           To address the affordability and digital poverty of broadband services.

The Board was provided with a short presentation on the Digital Infrastructure Strategy.  Members noted the following key points:-

·            The vision to provide a gigabit digital infrastructure that accelerated new social and economic possibilities for all of the people and businesses of South Yorkshire.

·            To ensure that the superfast broadband and 4G success of South Yorkshire was repeated for gigabit broadband and 5G.

·            To support the social and economic priorities as set out within the SEP.

·            To create an inclusive platform that would enable better outcomes for all sections of society.

·            To take a governance and data driven approach in order maximise the digital potential of South Yorkshire.

·            Ensure that South Yorkshire was positioned as a centre of applied digital innovation.

The SCR Housing and Infrastructure Board would discuss the delivery of the Digital Infrastructure Strategy at their next meeting in October 2021.

In response to a question received from Professor Petley, C Blackburn commented that the Digital Infrastructure Strategy would cover the next 5 years, with the potential to cover up to the next 10 year period.  It was considered that the policies within the Digital Infrastructure Strategy would still be relevant in several years’ time.

Dr Smith expressed his thanks to G Smith and the SCR Housing and Infrastructure Board for the work undertaken.  The MCA Members were keen to understand the delivery of the Digital Infrastructure Strategy, whilst ensuring smart implementation and to recognise that a great deal of the agenda would be delivered by the market.

M Faulks applauded the efforts that had been made, although he expressed concern that matters had not progressed quickly enough.  He considered that in order to achieve what was required in terms of the SEP for growth and innovation that the Digital Infrastructure Strategy should be at the foundation.  He encouraged Members to fully support the Digital Infrastructure Strategy.

J Muir considered that coherence was missing across a number of different areas that related to digital.  It was noted that the market appetite would increase if there was a specific and dedicated skills strategy with a developing skills set.  The SCR would provide advice and consultation to local businesses, in order to improve their digital understanding and to build upon their digital capability.

J Muir suggested that the matter should be considered further at a future Board meeting, with a view to revisiting the infrastructure.  Dr Smith agreed to the suggestion.  J Muir requested M Faulks, J Chetcuti, G Smith, A Foulkes and Professor Petley to create a potential forum to discuss matters further.

RESOLVED – That the Board considered and endorsed the draft South Yorkshire Digital Infrastructure Strategy.