Broadband – Colglen Community Council

from Neighbourhood Watch Scotland

As you may already be aware landlines are changing, and the UK’s telephone network is going digital. By January 2027, the old analogue network will be completely switched off and replaced by new digital landlines which will work using broadband. This change affects all industry providers and their customers. It is important that we help support members of our communities, especially the more vulnerable, to ensure that they are not adversely impacted by the switch off deadline as best we can.

There are two key campaigns that we wish to draw your attention to:

‘National Telecare’ campaign: This campaign relates to customers that use a telecare device such as personal alarms, pendant alarms, lifeline devices and home care monitoring systems. It is important that they take action to ensure that their equipment is compatible with the new digital technology. While many modern telecare systems are designed to work with both traditional and digital landlines, older models may require upgrades or replacements. Users should be encouraged to make contact with their landline provider for support as soon as possible. Further information is available at: https://digitalphoneswitchover.com/?msclkid=c376cdc8940b1ff75bc4a55ce5cbbd6b
BT Connected-Together campaign: This initiative encourages friends, family, colleagues, neighbours to support vulnerable members of the community through the switch. This involves helping them to understand why it is happening, and how to prepare. The BT guide and the BT website can be accessed here:
https://www.bt.com/about/all-ip/connected-together

Anyone who needs extra support to make the switch to Digital Voice, should register for this using the BT webform available on the website. An engineer will then be made available to assist them with transition.

The Community Council has been contacted about several surveys which we list here:

BUDGET SURVEY

The first is a survey on budgets and services from the Council. This is extremely important as they are looking for millions in savings. Help our community by insisting our lifelines are not cut, and that the council find different ways to balance their budgets. You have until 14th February:

https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/form/budget-survey

“With a budget gap of £27 million over the next five years, we do not have enough funding to meet demands. We’re asking you what services should council budgets prioritise?

“Over the past 10 years, we have delivered more than £50 million in savings to continue providing services to our communities. We continue to look for more savings but the size of the budget gap means we face having to deliver further savings in the years ahead.”

R100 SURVEY

In the three years to 2019 the c ommunity, through “Kyles Community Broadband” attempted to procure fibre optic broadband for the community. With a budget of £1.5M promised KCB got as far as the competitive tender, but were stymied by a combination of budget and capacity of the organisations tendering. At that point the Scottish Government promised to make our area a priority after the ten areas already allocated official priority status. Over the intervening years, despite a six-monthly reminder from the CC, nothing has happened, or has been intimated to happen. Therefore this survey is very important and we encourage everyone to answer it. Here’s what the SG say about it:

“The Scottish Government is investing in broadband infrastructure in Your area through its Reaching 100% (R100) programme and we’re keen to get your support to help gather feedback.

“The £600+ million programme is extending access to faster broadband to sub-30 Megabits per second homes and businesses who are unlikely to receive upgrades through commercial plans. You can find out more about R100 at: gov.scot/digitalconnectivity.

“To understand whether and how households and organisations have benefited from R100, the Scottish Government is undertaking an evaluation of the programme. As part of this, we are surveying households and organisations who:

Are scheduled to receive broadband access via R100 but have not yet been connected
Have been provided with broadband access via R100 and have taken up the connection
Have been provided with broadband access via R100 but have not taken up the connection

“The surveys are available online and can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/R100Evaluation“

VISITOR LEVY CONSULTATION

“People in council areas across Scotland are considering a visitor levy for their area and we would like you to have the same chance to consider one for Argyll and Bute.

“Why? Because at a time when funding for public services is shrinking, a visitor levy is an option for raising investment to sustain local services used by visitors, as well as residents, and to keep the area as a top visitor attraction.

“Support for individual tourism businesses, or for extending the tourism season are examples of how levy income could be used. Services used by the visitor economy, and so could benefit from levy funding, include for example, waste, roads, transport and leisure services.

“We are running a 12-week consultation and invite you to take the time to find out more about what a levy could mean for Argyll and Bute, and then give your view.”

You can find more information on the council website, plus:

Weekly updates through news round up email subscription, which is a briefing on general council and other news
The Visitor Levy email update service
Regularly as required on our website and social media channels