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| Local Phone Box |
An on-going consultation has generated 169 comments so far about the future of 43 phone boxes in the district, and residents are encouraged to keep their comments coming in.
The City Council has promoted the consultation widely in accordance with requirements laid down by Ofcom and has notified those with an interest in proposed changes.
In accordance with Ofcom guidance the City Council will give BT its view on the proposals in what is called a First Notification.
This will be submitted on 25th July and will take into account all the responses received by that date.
However, the consultation continues until at least 29th August and will provide an opportunity to comment on this first Notification.
This allows an additional week for public comment on the Council’s response. The City Council must then submit its final notification to BT by 6th September.
The 'veto' for 'local public organisations' has caused some confusion; there is no absolute veto in the commonly understood sense because there is an appeals process which BT can use if they object to our decision.
The Ofcom guidance says "If a local organisation objects to a phone box being removed, there is an appeals system. The case would then be considered by the Competition Appeals Tribunal."
The Council is committed to ensuring members, parishes and their communities have a full opportunity to comment on BT's proposals.
Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed closures can do so either on our website www.winchester.gov.uk/BT or by writing to our usual address. |