Broadband and business on the agenda at Bishop’s Castle meeting

Plans to provide better broadband in south west Shropshire will be discussed at the next meeting of the Bishop’s Castle, Chirbury and Worthen and Clun Local Joint Committee (LJC) when it meets at Chirbury Village Hall on Thursday 14 June 2012.

Shropshire Council is currently developing a million pound bid for funding to improve broadband in the county, and a representative from Shropshire Council will be attending the meeting to talk about the bid, and how it aims to bring improved broadband to rural areas of the county.  See more about the bid via www.connectingshropshire.co.uk 

Councillor Heather Kidd, Chairman of the LJC, said:-

“The availability of good, reliable, fast and affordable broadband is a major issue for our rural communities if they are to have a successful future. 

“Many business and banking transactions now take place on the Internet.  Farmers now have to use it for DEFRA, and even the Inland Revenue are trying to make it the only way forward.  Making sure our rural communities have access to reliable broadband is really important.  The meeting will be a good chance for us to hear how the Shropshire Council bid is progressing and to find out what members of the public can do to support it.”

The meeting will also feature an update from the local policing team on current issues in the area, and a report from Councillor Charlotte Barnes on the local consultations about Bishop’s Castle Business Park.  The public also have the opportunity to ask the councillors questions about local issues during the course of the meeting.

Everyone is welcome to attend the LJC meeting; for more details contact Mathew Mead,  community action officer, on 01743 252534.