Issue - items at meetings - Metro Wireless Concession Agreement

Report of the Strategic Director; Place (copy attached).

(1)               That the letting of a service concession for the use of council owned assets (primarily street furniture) to deliver a Wireless Network for a 5 year initial period with the option to extend for 2 years plus a further period of up to 12 months (5 plus 2 plus 1) be approved;

(2)               That the Strategic Director; Place be granted delegated authority to award a service concession contract to deliver a Metro Wireless network and, subject to satisfactory performance of the appointed contractor, to extend the 5-year contract by a maximum of 3 years (2 years, then 12 months); and

(3)               That the Head of ICT in conjunction with the Strategic Director; Place be authorised to agree any minor amendments to the draft contract deemed necessary and to conclude the contract accordingly.

94.1         The Head of ICT introduced the report which outlined the proposed appointment of a network preferred partner to develop a Next Generation Wireless network within Brighton and Hove, under a service concession contract, which required the operator to pay the council a concessionary licence fee and a percentage share of the total revenue.  He stated that consultations had been held with both the business community and the voluntary sector who were supportive of the approach.

94.2         The Chair welcomed the report and stated that it was an exciting opportunity which he believed would help with access issues across the city.

94.3         Councillor Mitchell welcomed the report and stated that the Labour & Co-operative Group fully supported the proposal.

94.4         Councillor Bowden welcomed the report and stated that he hoped such a network would be utilised to promote the city and help tenants.

94.5         The Chair noted the comments and put the recommendations to the vote.

94.6         RESOLVED:

(1)         That the letting of a service concession for the use of council owned assets (primarily street furniture) to deliver a Wireless Network for a 5 year initial period with the option to extend for 2 years plus a further period of up to 12 months (5 plus 2 plus 1) be approved;

(2)         That the Strategic Director; Place be granted delegated authority to award a service concession contract to deliver a Metro Wireless network and, subject to satisfactory performance of the appointed contractor, to extend the 5-year contract by a maximum of 3 years (2 years, then 12 months); and

(3)         That the Head of ICT in conjunction with the Strategic Director; Place be authorised to agree any minor amendments to the draft contract deemed necessary and to conclude the contract accordingly.