The Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel met to discuss digital infrastructure and connectivity, performance and budget monitoring, and the work programme for the coming year. The panel heard that mobile coverage and performance is not as good as claimed by Mobile Network Operators, and agreed to ask Councillor Amos, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Business and Skills, to lobby government for local authorities to have more influence over the location of masts and poles. The panel also discussed the year-end budget, hearing that the council had overspent by £6.2 million, and set the work programme for the coming year.

Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity

The panel received an update on digital infrastructure and connectivity in Worcestershire, including the results of the River Severn Partnership (RSP) Advanced Wireless Innovation Region funded Mobile Connectivity Assessment activity.

Stephen Ashton, Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity Manager, explained that mobile connectivity is important for residents and businesses, but that the council receives a number of complaints about mobile performance. He presented the results of mobile signal measurements taken by Streetwave devices deployed on waste collection fleets across Worcestershire. The data showed a significant discrepancy between the coverage claimed by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and the actual coverage experienced by users.

We now have a one-off snapshot of coverage in Worcestershire at every address visited by waste collection services as well as some walk and rail testing, meaning we have measurements for almost all the places where people live and work.

Councillor Dan Birch, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, raised concerns about the lack of data for parks and open spaces. Stephen Ashton confirmed that the council had retained some Streetwave boxes and could use them to collect data in these areas.

Councillor Martin Allen asked about the response of mobile phone operators to the data. Stephen Ashton said that Vodafone, Three and O2 had been fairly positive and had agreed to look at the data in more detail.

Councillor Martin Allen also raised the issue of poor mobile phone coverage in Upton-upon-Severn during festivals. Stephen Ashton explained that the council had previously supported the town through Network on Wheels, which added capacity for operators and first aid services. He added that none of the events in Upton had approached the council about attending again this summer.

Councillor Nik Price asked about Starlink¹ and whether it was part of the council's considerations. Stephen Ashton confirmed that the council had utilised Starlink on its Network on Wheels, and that it could help solve certain problems for delivering broadband in urban and rural areas.

Councillor Dan Boatright-Greene asked about shared infrastructure, and whether the council could lobby government to push this forward. Stephen Ashton confirmed that the conversation about more active sharing was starting to move, and that operators already do this in indoor spaces.

Councillor Dan Birch raised concerns about the number of masts and poles being erected, and asked whether the council could lobby government to put more policy in place around ensuring operators share underground technology where it exists. Stephen Ashton confirmed that the council had been involved in those conversations and had tried to encourage operators to share.

Councillor Alan Bailes asked about the Superfast Worcestershire financial monitoring of contracts 1, 2 and 3. Stephen Ashton confirmed that all of the money invested in Contract 1 had been fully returned to Worcestershire through gain share mechanisms.

Following the discussion, Councillor Dan Birch requested that Councillor Amos, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Business and Skills, put more pressure on the government regarding the role of local planning authorities in having a say on polls and street masts, and also around utility companies sharing underground technology where it is feasible. The committee agreed to make this a recommendation to the Cabinet Member.

Performance and 2024/25 Draft Year-End Budget Monitoring

The panel received a presentation on performance and the 2024/25 draft year-end budget monitoring.

Dave Corbett presented the performance information, highlighting that Worcestershire's gigabit connectivity was 85.5% at the end of June, compared to 87.9% for the UK as a whole. He also drew attention to a note in the report regarding business survival rates, explaining that figures for Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest had been skewed by a lot of very short-term business registrations.

Councillor Alan Bailes asked about the decline in SMEs and larger businesses in Worcestershire. Gary Woodman explained that Worcestershire was not unlike the rest of the UK, with lots of small businesses and very few at the top. He added that most of the SME base was finding it difficult, and that the business support package was helping businesses through that bit of the process.

Councillor Nik Price asked whether the council went far enough in supporting small and medium enterprises. Gary Woodman said that the business support package looked to tailor support up to three years, and that the Worcestershire growth hub provided a clarity of offer across the county.

Councillor Dan Birch asked about the increase in youth claimants and the decrease in intermediate apprenticeships. Gary Woodman explained that youth unemployment was on the rise in pockets, and that the apprenticeships piece showed what happens when government changes policy and moves to the levy².

Councillor Matthew Jones asked what the council was doing to retain businesses within the county. Gary Woodman said that the main conversation was around property and commercial premises, and that the council worked with commercial property agents to identify premises.

Sarah McDonald presented the draft year-end budget monitoring, explaining that the council had ended with a net overspend of £6.2 million on a £433.4 million net budget. She added that the overspends were in demand led services such as adult social care, children's social care and home to school transport, but that there were underspends in other areas such as economy and infrastructure.

Work Programme

The panel discussed the work programme for the coming year, agreeing to include the following items:

• Budget and performance monitoring (quarter one)
• Central government policy announcements and what they mean for the Worcestershire economy
• Tourism annual update
• Update on Malvern Hills Science Park and the Shrub Hill development
• Support for small towns
• Worcester 6 business park