Info Magazine

Get the fastest and most reliable speeds for your business with help from the gigabit broadband voucher scheme. For full details about whether you are eligible for a voucher and • Businesses can claim up to £3,000 against the cost of connection either individually or as part of a group project. • Residents (with businesses) can benefit from the scheme as part of a group project and can claim for a voucher of £500 each. One gigabit is the same as 1,000 megabits - so it’s a big leap forward in connection speeds that could benefit you and your business into the future. How do you apply? The scheme is only accessible through 23 www. fermanaghomagh .com District Electoral Areas Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is made up of seven District Electoral Areas (DEA). In each issue we will be picking one DEA and highlighting the attractions in their region. In this issue we will be looking at Erne North which comprises of Ballinamallard, Belleek and Boa, Ederney and Kesh, Irvinestown, Tempo. • Ruins of Castle Caldwell in the grounds of Castle Caldwell Forest Park • The famous Irvinestown Clock Tower •Home to Castle Archdale Estate and Marina •Necarne Castle and Estate •Has its own beach at Muckross •Home to the internationally renowned and award-winning Belleek Pottery founded in 1857 which also owns Wedgewood China and Galway Crystal. Belleek Pottery attracts 150,000 visitors a year 437.98 km 2 Geographic Area of Erne North 15.45% of the total area of the district Within Erne North, the Council provides... 2 major festivals held in the area each year which attract significant numbers of visitors: • Lady of the Lake in Irvinestown which has just celebrated its 40th Anniversary • Kesh Carnival Focus on Erne North DEA Landmarks Festivals 22 in-FO in Fermanagh & Omagh | Winter 2018 MUGA Play Areas Leisure Centre Community Centres Greens Football Pitches Recycling Centres Clock Tower 5 9 1 3 7 2 2 1 The Council is aware of the significant broadband deficiencies throughout the district. In spite of concerted lobbying and awareness raising with all relevant stakeholders, the Council is concerned that there has been no significant improvement in access to quality, reliable broadband provision in many parts of the district. This position is evidenced in Ofcom’s Connected Nations (2017) report which details the particular difficulties in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area. In this context, the Council has established an elected member Working Group whose specific remit is to consider broadband related matters. The Working Group which is chaired by Cllr Bernice Swift, has ten members - Cllrs Alex Baird, John Coyle, David Mahon, Sorcha McAnespy, BroadbandWorking Group Broadband Voucher Scheme Stephen McCann, Thomas O’Reilly, Paul Robinson, Rosemarie Shields and Victor Warrington. The key objective of the Working Group is to be a meaningful, strategic grouping which will continue to lobby strategically for investment in the Council area to redress the broadband deficiencies so that all those in the district who wish to have access to fibre (or equivalent) have the ability to do so. To date the Working Group has had meetings with the Department for the Economy, Ofcom, BT and the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and has also made formal representations to the five main political parties in Northern Ireland, to ensure the £150 million allocated to broadband improvements in the DUP’s confidence and supply agreement with the Conservative Government, will be prioritised for those areas most in need. • Businesses can claim up to £3,000 against the cost of connection either individually or as part of a group project. • Residents (with businesses) can benefit from the scheme as part of a group project and can claim for a voucher of £500 each. One gigabit is the same as 1,000 megabits - so it’s a big leap forward in connection speeds that could benefit you and your business into the future. How do you apply? The scheme is only accessible through broadband service providers, so if you are interested in receiving a voucher: i Population 14,675 (2011 Census) >16 65+ 38 50.1% Male 22% of population Broadly reflective of the entire district 49.9% Female 16.5% of population Average Age per head of population Runs along the boundary with the Republic of Ireland Home to the most westerly settlement (Belleek) in Northern Ireland and consequently the UK 1 | Check whether you are eligible for a voucher on the website. 2 | Find a local supplier through the postcode checker on the website. 3 | You can also ask whether your existing supplier can supply full fibre to your premises. For full details about whether you are eligible for a voucher and to connect you to a full fibre broadband supplier, go to: gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk #GigabitVoucher