Decision details
BT Consultation on phone box removal Autumn 23
Decision Maker: Service Director - Communities
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Purpose:
To approve the objection to the removal of five public payphones, as proposed by British Telecom (BT). As set out by The Office of Communications (Ofcom), BT has an obligation to consult with Herefordshire Council with regard to the proposed removals. In some cases, a payphone can still be an essential local service, due to local circumstances
Decision:
That the council submits an objection to the removal of five public payphones in Herefordshire, due to relevant factors, as detailed in Appendix A
Alternative options considered:
There are no alternative options, which are practicable. It is the role of Herefordshire Council to consult locally and to make a decision based on the responses and local information, on whether the payphones can be removed, adopted or are retained. In accordance with section 49 of the Communications Act 2003 (‘The Act’), Herefordshire Council is required to make a decision “in response to a proposal by British Telecommunications plc for the removal of public payphones pursuant to Part 2 of the Schedule to a Direction published by Ofcom on 14 March 2006”. More detail is set out in Appendix A which includes the list of phone boxes affected.
Wards Affected: Aylestone Hill; Central; Newton Farm; Ross North;
Contact: Lorna Williamson, Talk Community Development Support Officer Email: lwilliamson@herefordshire.gov.uk.
Date of decision: 05/01/2024
Effective from: 12/01/2024
Accompanying Documents: