Broadband and affordable housing on the Loton and Tern LJC agenda

The development of superfast broadband in Shropshire will be on the agenda at the next meeting of the Loton and Tern Local Joint Committee (LJC) when it meets at Upton Magna Village Hall on Thursday 1 March 2012 at 7pm. 

Alison Brock, Shropshire Council’s ICT Support manager, will be attending the meeting to talk about the BDUK bid being developed by Shropshire Council, and providing details on how the community and parish councils can support the bid. 

George Candler, Shropshire Council’s Area Director – North, will also be at the meeting to answer questions from the public about Shropshire Council’s policies, and to explain more about his role and how Shropshire Council will be working with parish councils in the future. 

The final presentation at the meeting will be from Stuart Thomas, Shropshire Council’s development manager, who will talk about Shropshire Council’s policies on affordable housing and wind turbines. 

John Everall, the Shropshire Councillor for Tern division, and a member of the LJC, said:-

“We have three really interesting subjects to discuss at the meeting.  The availability of fast, reliable broadband is really important for businesses and communities in rural Shropshire, so finding out how we can support the BDUK bid will be an important part of the meeting. 

“The provision of affordable housing and energy is also vital to our rural communities, but we need to make sure these are developed in a sustainable way which do not change the character of our rural areas.

“We are also pleased to have George Candler explain how parish councils and communities can get involved in influencing these policies, so I’d encourage members of the community to join us at the meeting and ask our speakers questions.”    

The meeting will also review the funding applications that the committee has received since their last meeting, which includes an application from Astley Village Hall for new windows, and a request for funding from Withington to support their Jubilee celebrations. 

For more details about the meeting agenda, please contact Mathew Mead, community action officer for the area, on 01743 252534 or email mathew.mead@shropshire.gov.uk.