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Members Briefing                                                                                         July 30th 2014

Progress update: Connecting Devon and Somerset

Latest announcement: CDS launched its new website on Wednesday 30^th July. The programme has reached a point in the roll out where it is able to share more detailed and wider ranging information than we have been able to until now. The new website is easier to navigate with more features including a zoomable base map that will make it far simpler for residents and businesses to find detailed information that is relevant to them. The CDS website address remains the same www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk.

Key features:

• The map and website are now compatible with the majority of tablets and smartphones and both are faster loading across all platforms.

• There is now only one map, which displays all current roll out information to 7 digit postcode level. It combines the 3 maps on the previous website and displays more detailed information.

• The new map includes the locations of the ‘final 10%’ - premises that will not be able to access superfast broadband by the end of 2016*- to 7 digit postcode level.

• The new map includes estimated survey dates for all areas under evaluation to 7 digit postcode level.

• Using 7 digit postcode level information means that the information we supply is more detailed than the earlier map’s ‘exchange level’ data, where an exchange was marked as live as soon as the first cabinet was enabled. This led to some understandable confusion when not all cabinets at the same exchange were enabled at the same time.

*CDS has submitted a full funding application to BDUK’s Superfast Extension Programme (SEP). Should this be successful then the CDS partners aim to reach 95% of premises by the end of 2017.

Please advise your businesses and residents that improvements to their broadband speeds will not happen automatically. When an area becomes ready for service, businesses and residents will need to purchase a superfast broadband package from their internet service provider. In many areas that are live, the service is being offered by a range of different providers, so please encourage constituents to shop around and get the best deal.

Please also continue to support the programme by encouraging constituents in areas that are live to take up a superfast broadband service and drive take-up across the programme area.

We are also keen to develop case studies of businesses, home workers and families who are taking up the new service.  If you hear of anyone in your constituency who would make a good case study and would be willing to take part, please put them in touch with Sofie Francis (see below).

For further information please contact Connecting Devon and Somerset: broadband@devon.gov.uk or visit www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk

Appendix – Full list of areas now offering a superfast service

The latest locations to go live include parts of Ashford (near Barnstaple), Braunton, Burlescombe, Chudleigh, Heanton Punchardon, Ilsington, Landkey, Mortehoe, North Tawton, Swimbridge, Tedburn St Mary, Whitestone, Cannington, Chilton Trinity, Milverton, Nether Stowey, North Petherton, Otterhampton, Pawlett, Puriton, Spaxton Barrington, Dowlish Wake, Horton, and Kingstone in South Somerset. 

Areas already live include parts of Belstone, Bishop’s Hull, Bishop’s Lydeard, Bradford-on-Tone, Combe Florey, Cotford St Luke, Crediton, Creech St Michael, Dunchideock, Exminster, Hatherleigh, Hemyock, Holsworthy, Newton St Cyres, Nynehead, Okehampton, Okehampton Hamlets, Petrockstow, Ruishton, Sandford, Shillingford St George, South Tawton, Sticklepath, Stoke St Gregory, Thurloxton, Wellington, West Buckland, West Monkton, Kennford, Henlade and North Curry. The programme has also been able to provide additional coverage around the fringes of Barnstaple, Bideford, Totnes, Newton Abbot, Honiton, Ilminster, Taunton and Bridgewater.

Additionally, further communities will be connected by October 2014 (subject to engineering considerations). These include parts of: Combe Martin, Denbury and Torbryan, Dunkeswell, Great Torrington, Ilfracombe, Ipplepen, Kingsbridge, Stokenham, West Alvington, West Down, Woolfardisworthy, Ashill, Beercrocombe, Catcott, Chilton Polden, Edington Fivehead and Milborne Port.

Seeking Parish Councillors – 2 Vacancies

Are you interested in what goes on in Creech St Michael Parish?

Have you some time to spare and would you like to represent where you live as a Parish Councillor?

An official notice has been posted and we hope to be able to co-opt new councillors at our next meeting;

Monday September 1^st 7pm in the Village Hall Lower Committee Room

What is the Parish Council and what do we do?

• The Parish Council consists of a group of volunteers, we meet formally once a month. 
• We look after the Recreation Park in Creech St. Michael as well as Merlyn's Copse (the small area of woodland at North End).
• We use funding from council tax and local fund raising events in order to provide facilities in the parish such as grit bins, litter bins and dog bins.
• We act as a liaison between the Parish and Taunton Deane District and Somerset County Council.
• We co-ordinate local events like the Party in the Park, together with a team of editorial volunteers we provide the Parish Post & the Parish Website and Facebook site.
• Importantly we act as a local consultee on planning matters.

This is not a definitive list, but hopefully gives you a flavour of our involvement.

Want to know more?  

Feel free to have a chat with any of the current Parish Councillors, our details can be found at www.creechstmichael.net

To register your interest please contact Steve Altria, the Parish Clerk clerk@creechstmichael.net before the 1st September meeting.

OFFICIAL NOTICE...

CREECH ST. MICHAEL PARISH COUNCIL
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT -
2 Casual Vacancies have occurred in the office of Councillor on Creech St Michael Parish Council.
Unless ten electors for the Parish give notice in writing by
Tuesday the 26 day of August 2013
To the Returning Officer,
The Deane House, Belvedere Road,
Taunton TA1 1HE,
Requesting that an election be held -
The Parish Council will fill the vacancy by the co-option of a new Councillor at a Meeting to be held on 7pm, Monday 1st September at Creech St Michael Village Hall, Committee Room,
Steve Altria
Clerk to the Parish Council
Email - clerk@creechstmicahel.net
Dated: 5 August 2014