Concerns over rural areas and hard-to-reach communities missing out on broadband connectivity are to be raised with government.
Devon County Council’s Cabinet has considered a request from the Council’s Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services (CIRS) Scrutiny Committee to review current national broadband policy.
Councillors also welcomed the establishment of a Task and Finish group by the (CIRS) Committee to monitor the delivery of the national broadband voucher scheme and consider any opportunities to improve connectivity in Devon.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Broadband, is already lobbying national government on rural connectivity.
She and seven of Devon’s MPs, National Park Chairs, and Chief Executives of Devon Communities Together and Citizens Advice recently sent a letter to the Minister for Digital Economy, outlining the significant impacts on businesses, access to services and rural isolation.
Their letter stressed the critical importance of developing a national strategy for connecting very hard-to-reach premises and offered to discuss Devon acting as a location to test, trial or pilot solutions, technologies and models for delivery of rural broadband solutions.

Local government reorganisation – postcode checker available now
Campaigners channel ‘Count Binface’ in fight against possible giant Exmouth housing site
New Chair appointed for £20 million community initiative in Exeter
Go-ahead for demolition of Dawlish Warren ‘blight’ site
Coastguard payments to continue after government U-turn
Building strong foundations for Devon’s children with free local support
New Health Lead appointed to tackle city's health inequalities
High numbers of people with dehydration attending Emergency Departments
Commissioner encourages reporting as concern over antisocial behaviour continues
Angry youngsters tackle South West Water over sewage
CQC rates Devon County Council’s adult social care provision as requires improvement
SWR earns highest MOD accolade for supporting Armed Forces
Commissioner welcomes latest recognition of improvements to force performance
Appeal following a car and motorcycle collision in Exeter
Devon ‘betrayed’ as Exeter and Plymouth given land-grab green light
Greens’ anger at Exeter car ban decision
