Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Environment concerning the Utility Infrastructure Strategy.

The Officer stated that the draft strategy sought to highlight and drive collaboration, partnership and promotion between the City and the utility sector. The Corporation was responsible for the 5G and Wi-Fi network infrastructure which was being rolled out. It was also responsible for managing the Considerate Contractor Street Work scheme and the pipe subway network. Ground radar surveys would be undertaken to establish where underground constraints lay. The Committee was informed that the City Surveyor had a significant connection with Citygen and the way in which heating and cooling was provided to a significant number of buildings in the City.

The Officer also stated that the Corporation had indirect involvement in working with utility sector to improve their services e.g., in relation to the provision of Superfast Broadband and by providing a test bed for innovation in the utility sector. The Corporation also worked with utilities to ensure there was capacity to meet future demand for tall buildings and growth. Members were informed that the policy context included the Local Area Energy Plan, the Transport Strategy and the Open Energy Networks. There was a need to ensure that the utility provision was fit for purpose and that capacity was created for the future in a green and sustainable way.

A Member commented that as part of the 5G infrastructure rollout, operators were being persuaded to share kit and this had increased the speed of the rollout as well as removed some of the street clutter.

A Member suggested that a further session on the topics covered by the strategy. The Chairman stated that this could take place post-consultation.

Officers were thanked for their work on the Strategy.

RESOLVED – That Members approve a public consultation exercise to be undertaken on the draft strategy, with the updated final strategy being submitted to the Committee for approval in due course.