The collapse of Gigaclear’s contracts meant the community could apply for funding through the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS). A government ‘Rural Gigabit Voucher Scheme’, enabling an installation grant of £1,500 for rural households and £3,500 for rural businesses - should now be available for Whitford residents through Openreach’s Community Fibre Partnerships programme. However, progress on obtaining the vouchers was slow and difficult, mired by CDS’s ongoing exclusive contractor arrangements.
A community interest company was formed in Whitford in June 2019. Residents were initially sceptical of Openreach’s £80k quote.
The voluntary team led by Matthew Wallace and Lee Bayliss, designed leaflets and posters, and set up a promotional stand at the Whitford Show, while Denise Loud, a prominent member of the village, took up the role of Broadband Community Liaison Officer.