For some time, residents of both Garsdale and Dentdale have wanted to improve the current provision of broadband (in many cases there is none at all) to their properties in order to secure the long-term economic and social well-being of the Dales. In 2010, with the support of Garsdale and Dent Parish Councils, a Steering Group was formed, to bring this about. The Steering Group then became more formalised and representatives, including the Chairs and another nominations, from both Parish Councils had secured the membership. A constitution was published and endorsed by both Parish Councils to give the required authority to act for the communities and in 2011 the Steering Group evolved into Fibre GarDen, the Garsdale and Dentdale community broadband initiative.
As the project developed and to ensure that we had a a more formal legal structure in place to take advantage of grant funding, membership expanded to bring in more expertise from local residents. It became clear that in order to act in the best interests of the communities and to protect any acquired assets (financial, physical or otherwise) we needed to reform as a Industrial and Provident Society that offers locks on assets, when acquired for the benefit of the communities. Digital Dales (UK) Limited (trading as Fibre GarDen) was registered on 6 August 2013 No 32157R
Fibre GarDen agreed the following objectives against which the success of the project will be measured. Broadband provision in Garsdale and Dentdale will:
- be future-proof;
- be 100% inclusive of all properties in the dales to maintain community cohesion; and
- provide infrastructure which supports a range of uses determined by the user.
Fibre GarDen is formally recognised by both Garsdale and Dentdale Parish Councils, both of which have members on the Board. Other key Members including an industry leader in the fibre optic networks, have a broad range of skills, both nationally and internationally that are drawn on to successfully guide the project.
Fibre GarDen proposes to provide a optic fibre connection to each property in both dales and a broadband service at an operational cost which matches that in commercially viable areas. This is the only future-proof solution and is essential in securing the long term future of the dales by matching the communication infrastructure of urban areas. We propose to achieve this by securing capital funding for network construction and through competitive tendering for backhaul and maintenance services.
DEVELOPMENT
Fibre GarDen is at an advanced stage of development and has now a pre-contract offer of financial support from DEFRA of £325,000 against a capital requirement of circa £650,000. Investment from a Adventure Capital Fund and pledges of some £225,000 from the community via a share offer will enable the project to commence. We have also gained approval from HMRC to run an Enterprise Investment Scheme that will permit a 30% tax refund to tax paying investors.
The share offer is to be published in September 2013.
The share offer is to be published in September 2013.
