Minutes:
Johanna Daly read out a report compiled by our Broadband Officer, Richard Molloy. In Leitrim, there are currently 11,469 premises identified by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications as intervention areas where there is no existing or planned commercial high speed broadband network. National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is the company which was awarded the contract to roll out the broadband network. However, the rollout of the National Broadband Plan is approximately six months behind schedule due to the disruptions caused by Covid-19. According to current timetables, NBI are on track to provide 58 premises within the Glencar and Sramore townlands with fibre to the home by February 2022. By November 2022, 8.4% of premises. By December 2024, high-speed fibre broadband will be available to 37.6% of premises. The remaining 62.4% of premises (i.e., 7,154 premises) will receive high speed broadband between January 2025 and December 2026.
In advance of the Fibre-to-the-Home roll out, the National Broadband Plan provides for the delivery of Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) nationwide. Within Leitrim there are currently 11 BCP locations.
· In addition to BCPs, Primary schools within Intervention Areas are also being connected for educational access as part of the National Broadband Plan. To date the following schools in Leitrim have been connected under the National Broadband Plan Aughawillan National School & Saint Michael's Primary School
Seán Ó Conláin asked that this information needs to be aligned with the ‘plan’ and would like to be updated. In relation to the BCPs/Multi Hub Projects he asked that community groups be asked what works/doesn’t work in relation to the procedures under the grant funding.
Johanna Daly stated that the guidelines are set by the department, and we have to adhere to them.
LECP Guidelines
Johanna Daly gave a presentation to the members on the new LECP guidelines. The main difference for compiling the new LECP is that it will be carried out using a two-pronged approach.
1. The overall LECP integrated detailing high-level goals for full 6-year LECP period.
2. ‘Implementation Plans’ – Prioritised actions as well as performance indicators is a function of the implementation plan.
There are 6 stages to the plan
1. Preparation
2. Public Consultation
3. Development of high-level goals, objectives and outcomes
4. Finalisation of LECP
5. Implementation
6. Maintaining, Evaluation and Review
The responsibilities of the LECP are a reserved function, the economic element is overseen by the SPC with the community element overseen by the LCDC. There will be consultations and an Advisory Steering Group set up to assist in the preparation, drafting, adoption and implementation. This group will be made up of at least 1 member of the LCDC, 1 member of the SPC, the Chief Officer and Director of Services and any person that both the LCDC and SPC consider likely to make a significant contribution. An online event will be held on the 9th of December to give more information on the process of completing the LECP.
Cllr. Enda McGloin asked if Casual Trading could be part of next year’s work programme.
Joseph Gilhooly agreed to have it included on our agenda at our next SPC meeting of the 23rd February.