Agenda item

To consider a report which outlines the process for the call for evidence on 5G connectivity. 

The Board will receive verbal submissions from any interested parties as part of the call for evidence.

Members of the public wishing to speak are asked to submit their intention to do so in advance to 5GEvidence@bcpcouncil.gov.uk by 12 noon Friday 20 September 2019.

The Chairman introduced the item and reminded everyone that the purpose of this session was to hear verbal submissions as part of the call for evidence. There was also an opportunity for any interested parties to make written submissions on the issue, the closing date for written submissions was 7 October. The Board would then consider the responses to the Call-for evidence further at its meeting in November.

The following persons had registered to speak:

·         John Hunt (on behalf of Susan Lennon) – West Howe Community Association

·         Nick Greenwood

·         Charles Ross Illingworth

·         David Merefield

·         Anthony Story – Silicon South

·         Marios Angelopoulos – Bournemouth University – Computing

·         Adrian Dwyer

·         Sam Crowe – Director of Public Health Dorset

The speakers spoke on a range of issues both in favour of the roll out of 5G and against it. A number of issues were raised including:

·         The apparent lack of accountability regarding the instillation of fibre optics in Bournemouth;

·         The development of 5G through weapons technology;

·         Secrecy concerning 5G;

·         Omissions and inaccuracies in various official reports on 5G;

·         Studies evidencing health impacts and concerns in relation to 5G technology;

·         Consideration of alternative technologies to 5G;

·         Insurance unable to cover illnesses in relation to 5G technology;

·         Impact of 5G technology on the environment and wildlife;

·         International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines;

·         Concern of a rise in cancer and other illnesses, a link to brain and heart tumours, radiation through 5G high frequencies and infertility;

·         Out of date and inaccurate health reports being used;

·         Request for 5G moratorium from leading scientists and doctors;

·         Towns in the UK having adopted 5G moratoria, high profile cities across Europe had also adopted moratoria on 5G;

·         Geneva reversed its 5G rollout after people falling ill;

·         BCP area was well served in alternatives to 5G such as fibre optics;

·         Decision making driven by machines rather than humans;

·         Concern that Council’s were responding to publicity material and promoting technology above people;

·         Public Health England were falling behind in their advice and effects would only become apparent afterwards;

·         People should be allowed to consent and take precautionary measures;

·         5G trials were already taking place in cities around the country and BCP Council needed to keep up;

·         There were economic and development opportunities through 5G;

·         5G would improve social outcomes and quality of life;

·         The divide between the digital and tech sectors would merge together

·         The various sectors within BCP were well placed to support 5G technology;

·         5G will change how we share and consume information;

·         There were a number of different technologies which will make up 5G;

·         New technology would be commissioned and deployed for 5G;

·         Technology needed for 5G;

·         The amount of information able to be handled by a 5G network;

·         Ability to do things not previously possible and tackle new problems;

·         Job creation opportunities due to 5G;

·         Improvements to the local economy with 5G developments and the need to attract high tech industries to the area;

·         The frequency of 5G in the Lansdowne area should be no concern to public health according to the World Health Organisation;

The speakers were asked if they were prepared to answer questions to the Board and the Board asked a number of questions to some of the speakers to clarify some of the points they had made. In response to a question the Director of Public Health Dorset undertook to look into some of the information submitted and provide the Public Health view.

RESOLVED that the verbal representations on 5G be received and that they form part of the submission for the 5G call for evidence to be considered at the Board’s meeting on 11 November 2019.

Cllr Rigby arrived at the start of this item and left the meeting at the end of this item.

Cllr Miles arrived at the conclusion of this item.