The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business and Economy presented a report from the Director of Place and Enterprise setting out the recommended procurement approach for Phase 2b of the Connecting Shropshire Programme in accordance with the recently approved Broadband Strategy.

            RESOLVED:

i)     That Connecting Shropshire commences a formal OJEU ‘open procurement’ process defined as Phase 2b, as soon as practically possible, using the funding (£11.7m) and defined preferences (<15Mbps) as laid out in its recently adopted Broadband Strategy.

ii)    That the Director for Place and Enterprise, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business and Economy be granted authority to agree the OJEU tender specification and evaluation criteria that will meet with the broadband strategic objectives as defined in the Local Broadband Plan Shropshire for 2016-2020 approved by Cabinet on 13 July 2016.

iii)   That a report on the outcome of the procurement process is prepared and presented back to Cabinet to seek a decision on a contract award.