This week we have had a further update from Openreach with respect to our Broadband Project. Let me give you a quick recap on progress to date, the latest news, and the challenge ahead.
54 households have confirmed their interest to the Parish Council.
Openreach project costs are £192,541. This is our funding target.
Funding comes from the Dept of Digital, Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS) – There are two pots of money at DCMS. The basic £1,500 per residential household plus additional “top up” (Kent) funding.
Unfortunately, the “top up” funds have run out for this tax year.
Therefore, our funding from DCMS is only £ 81,000 towards our target and we can’t yet proceed.
We have a funding shortfall of £111,541.
This is not great news, the “top up” funding for Rural Broadband Projects had already been exhausted by the time our project was submitted. We are therefore left waiting for a new budget to become available and to await funding from that source. We remain hopeful that the budget is made available and Westbere and Sturry benefits accordingly.
The Government will be shortly launching a new voucher scheme to succeed the Rural Gigabit Voucher and Kent Top Up Voucher Schemes. It is understood that their intention is for community projects who have not been able to benefit from the existing schemes to be transferred into this new scheme. Details are awaited and we are told to be expected in April.
We are still in a strong position given our status as a rural area without existing highspeed broadband.
Next Steps
Openreach are waiting for authorisation to open our “Landing Site” where residents can formally request to be included in the project. This site will show our progress of committed residents and funding towards our target.
We will await news on the 2021/2022 “top up” funding, firstly that it will be made generally available and specifically that Westbere and Sturry have had funding approved. That is unfortunately not guaranteed, and it would be foolish to estimate when we might hear news.
You can still help. Sign up to the project and/or share this opportunity with your friends and neighbours. If you or they need more information please get in touch. Also please note that if you’re applying for vouchers as a business it’s worth more to the funding (currently DCMS funding is £3,000 per business).
New participants should register their interest with the Westbere parish clerk – email your name, full address, and telephone number to clerk@westbereparishcouncil.gov.uk
Please be assured that under GDPR requirements your personal data will be protected and not be shared for any other purpose.
Any questions or clarifications needed please email ian.mclean@westbereparishcouncil.gov.uk