More money for Rural Broadband

People living and working in the rural part of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough will move a step closer to having a super-fast broadband internet service after the Borough Council decided to increase its spending on the scheme by 50 per cent.

The council will boost its contribution to the County Council-run Broadband Leicestershire project to £60,000 after deciding to earmark a £15,000 underspend on this year's Parish and Community Initiative Fund, added to a further £5,000 from next year's fund.

The scheme aims to deliver super-fast broadband to all premises in Leicestershire by 2017. Initially, the scheme will seek to deliver to over 90 per cent of premises by 2015 with the final 10 per cent receiving at least 2Mibt/s.

Welcoming the move, Councillor Bill Crooks (Lib Dem: Barlestone), Executive Member for Rural Affairs, said: " The issue of the lack of Broadband in some of the rural areas is hampering many Rural Businesses, also in this modern age many residents are working from home.

"Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council are the only council in Leicestershire to pay out part of the 'New Homes Bonus' to Parish Councils and have so far paid out virtually 1/2 million pounds. Other District Councils have absorbed this money but have put some into Broadband.

"This extra £20K brings our commitment up to £60K which will place Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council 3rd highest out of the seven district councils, and we will continue to pay 25% of our 'New Homes Bonus' to Parish Councils in our Borough".