I never like to pass up a chance to highlight the benefits and attractions of the constituency and the perfect opportunity arose at the Conservative conference where I was honoured to take centre stage in introducing the Secretaries of State for Energy and Climate Change, Communities and Local Government and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, all areas highly relevant to this Taunton Deane. By the way, the Chancellor’s announcement at the conference, that business rate revenue will be put in the hands of local government, (something local businesses have been calling for) offers an exciting prospect although the details have yet to be assessed here. 

Amongst much else, broadband continues to be a central focus. Considered the 4th utility, life is almost impossible to conduct without a good speed of broadband but unfortunately I’m constantly meeting with both individuals and businesses whose speeds are woefully poor since they are not yet included in Phase One of the BT Connecting Devon & Somerset rollout.  This is the largest programme in the country with £90m of government money committed to getting 90% of premises connected by 2016.  Many fear they may miss out on Phase Two as well (aimed at getting from 90% to 95% of premises.)

Much of the Blackdown Hills fall into the latter category considered by BT as ‘harder to reach.’ (Although this is a somewhat debateable term.)  To gauge views I have joined with Otterford Parish Council to hold a special meeting on broadband in Bishopswood and people turned out in droves to air their heartfelt views. I was pleased that Cllr David Hall, from Somerset County Council and a CD&S Board Member attended together with Paul Coles BT SW Director and CD&S project Manager Phil Roberts and they got the message in no uncertain terms. 

Cllr Hall explained that negotiations were underway with 15 potential companies that might bid for Phase 2 of the CD&S contract although tenders were unlikely to be submitted until January. Whilst this is welcome news it means in all probability no work will begin until at least June, a whole year after talks with BT broke down (regarding continuing with Phase 2.)

I was delighted to be able to feed views from the Blackdowns meeting directly to Ed Vaisey, the Minster responsible for the broadband rollout, just three days later during a backbench debate on the rollout of broadband in the House of Commons.

What communities really want is clearer  information so that should they be out-side the rollout they can pursue other options like satellite;  but they want  every possible option  considered whether broadband via poles, wireless, satellite, fibre to the remote node or any other appropriate  technology although fibre optic is the method of choice.  An understanding of the value to the local economy of connectivity would be useful too rather than decisions on who and where to connect being based purely on ‘value to the tax payer.’

Above all I called for rural areas to be given equal weighting with their urban counterparts so that a kind of have and have not culture does not develop exacerbating the gap between town and country.

It was a hugely well supported debate, (and urban ‘not spots’ including some in Taunton were also mentioned) in which MP’s united to call for a SFB summit to be held to further the cause.