A West Sussex County Council (WSCC) chief has questioned whether faster broadband is the best way to direct the local authority's budget.

Some £6.26 million has been allocated to the county by the government to help achieve its super-fast broadband plans, which involve the delivery of super-fast speeds to 90 per cent of properties over the next two years.

WSCC has acknowledged consumers and businesses believe it is vital that they gain access to improved broadband connectivity, but Liberal Democrat councillor Bob Smytherman argued the timing of the project is far from ideal.

"There are certainly some areas where broadband upgrades are needed to support the local economy," he was quoted by the Argus as saying.

"But at a time when there are cuts to youth centres and services for the vulnerable, it's important to consider whether this is the best use of this money."

West Sussex is currently relatively well-served by broadband networks, with Ofcom figures showing 42 per cent of homes are able to enjoy super-fast services and just 13.3 per cent are stuck with speeds of less than 2Mbps.

Almost three-quarters of local properties have a broadband connection, compared to the nationwide average of just over two-thirds.

While Mr Smytherman cast some doubts on broadband plans in West Sussex, Rupert Clubb of East Sussex County Council (ESCC) was far more upbeat.

He described ESCC's proposals as ambitious but achievable, despite the fact only three per cent of premises in the area currently have super-fast broadband.

Furthermore, there are several notspots throughout East Sussex that either have no broadband connectivity or where speeds are less than 0.5Mbps, explained Mr Clubb, the council's director of economy.

The government has awarded £10 million to East Sussex's infrastructure improvement project and the local authority has matched this amount, as well as investing an additional £5 million.

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Comments (2)

18th December 2011

Website back up and it confirms Mr S is a lib/dem councillor for a small borough of Worthing, and not a 'council chief'. It would be good to see accurate reporting, Mr/Mrs Argus. It looks as if James Wallin was more accurate the other day. Did Mr S comment on the County invitation to tender for 'IT Support Services' in May? A £750mill contract against which the £6.26mill you quoted looks a little insignificant. Has the Argus actually asked a real WSCC 'chief' for comment?

17th December 2011

For the Argus - unless things have changed suddenly (the web site is down, so who knows?) , I don't think Mr Smytherman is actually a council 'chief'. I believe he is a Councillor for a district of Worthing and also says he is 'Shadow Cabinet Member for Health, Safety and Well-Being'? I understand that the "'Ofcom figures showing 42 per cent of homes are able to enjoy super-fast services" have been challenged as incorrect by his own County Council. Overall I think Mr Clubb in East Sussex has a better take on the issue. Can we shift the boundary?