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For several months INCA and the Community Broadband Network have been subject of a campaign from a small number of individuals led principally by Guy Jarvis and Lindsey Annison. The most recent attack was posted by Mr Jarvis on his website at http://www.fibrestream.co.uk/2010/03/15/qtth-concerns-about-inca/ and includes reference to parliamentary questions asked by Lord Laird.
CBN has drafted a statement in regard to questions raised by Lord Laird available at www.broadband.coop
The parliamentary question asked by Lord Laird relating to INCA reads:
Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will request the National Audit Office to investigate the formation, management and accounts of the Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA) and request accounts to be submitted for outstanding years; whether they will place such accounts in the Library of the House; what progress the Mutual Societies Permissions, Decisions and Reporting Division, Supervision Business Unit of the Financial Services Authority is making in investigating the organisation; how much money they have paid to the INCA each year; and which department paid the money. HL2831.
Lord Laird has not been in touch with INCA. However we would welcome an opportunity to explain the following to him and anyone else concerned about INCA’s affairs:
INCA Accounts & Public Funding
The Independent Networks Co-operative Association was registered as an Industrial & Provident Society on 25th November 2009. Since it has been in existence for a matter of a few months it not yet produced any accounts. The INCA interim board has appointed KPMG to produce the accounts and other financial reports for the association in due course.
INCA received a formal offer of financial support from the Department of Business Innovation & Skills on 17th December 2009. The grant offer was for £150,000. The first payment from Government was received on 15th March 2010.
The Creation of INCA
The initiative to create INCA came from the Community Broadband Network Ltd. Following a presentation to Lord Carter and the Digital Britain team in early 2009 CBN made a funding proposal to support the setting up of INCA. This led to references supporting the creation of INCA in the Digital Britain Interim Report and the Final Report published in June 2009.
INCA is in its start up phase. It was created by a founding group of 21 public, private and community-led organizations aiming to work together to help create next generation broadband networks in the UK. The founders have appointed an interim board to oversee the initial development of INCA leading up to its first general meeting in the summer when a new board will be elected.
During its first 6 months INCA is required to meet a number of key performance indicators stipulated in the funding document from BIS. To meet this demanding schedule, the interim board has approved an initial team of contractors some but not all of whom worked with CBN on the proposal to create INCA. One of the key performance indicators stipulated by BIS however is that 'The Company [INCA] should be able to demonstrate independent operation by the 31st August 2010, employing its own management team and core staff.'
INCA has a big job of work to do over the coming months and years to support the development of regional and local next generation broadband projects. This includes:
- Work on the technical, business and operational standards that will underpin successful schemes
- Helping projects to aggregate their supply to service providers and purchasing power
- Working with government, regulator and other agencies to ensure a level playing field for independent operators
- Bringing people together and promoting the sector
By focusing on these tasks INCA will provide tangible benefits to all working towards a truly Digital Britain. |