FOI request (FOI-95795242)

5G strategy

Requested Thu 15 November 2018
Responded Tue 27 November 2018

This is a Freedom of Information Request.

1. Does Hastings Borough Council have a 5G strategy?

1.1 If yes, I request to see the complete strategy, its ambitions and its objectives in PPTX, Word, PDF or picture format.

1.2 If yes, has the public had the opportunity to read and understand the Council's 5G strategy? Where was this information published?

1.3 I also request a supplementary document that includes the highest level of detail on all 5G technology that's planned to be used and current in use in public spaces within Hastings Borough Council:

(a) Companies and entities involved and the names of the company/entity officers.

(b) Specification sheets of all 5G technology.

(c) What technology e.g. units and arrays are not currently 5G, but can be 5G enabled e.g. with current software, future software, hardware upgrades or retrofitting?

(d) What UK, EU and International safety standards is Hastings Borough Council complying with for the 5G strategy and existing 5G technology.

1.4 If no, I request all documentation, memos, emails and communication on companies and entities you're in talks with regarding the formulation of a 5G strategy.

2. I request the name/s of the Officer/s in charge of the 5G strategy and roll out including their CV and qualifications in 5G and Smart Cities; and who their subject area expert or consultancy is, their CV and qualifications on 5G and Smart Cities.

3. Are you in talks with any experts, companies or entities about autonomous vehicles (AV) for public transport and/or private use on Public Highways?

3.1 If yes, I request to see the complete strategy, its ambitions and its objectives in PPTX, Word, PDF or picture format.

3.2 I also request a supplementary document that includes all levels of detail on:

(a) Companies and entities involved and the names of the company/entity officers?

(b) Specification sheets of all technology.

(c) What type of communication system will Hastings Borough Council be utilising to control the vehicles?

(d) What UK, EU and International safety standards does your AV strategy and rollout comply with?

(e) I request proof e.g. a certificate from Hastings Borough Council that confirms that UK, EU and International safety standards for workers and the public have been meet.

3.3 If no, I request all documentation, memos, emails and communication on companies and entities you're in talks with regarding the formulations of an autonomous public and private vehicle technology strategy.

4. Do you have a strategy for smart roads and smart signage on Public Highways and Public spaces?

4.1 If yes, I request to see the complete strategy, its ambitions and its objectives in PPTX, Word, PDF or picture format.

4.2 I also request a supplementary document that includes all levels of detail on:

(a) Companies and entities involved and the names of the company/entity officers?

(b) Specification sheets of all technology.

(c) What technology e.g. units and arrays will not be 5G, but can be 5G enabled e.g. with current software, future software, hardware upgrades or retrofitting etc (you must be specific on anything here)?

(d) What UK, EU and International safety standards does your 5G strategy and rollout comply with?

(e) I request proof e.g. a certificate from Hastings Borough Council that confirms that UK, EU and International safety standards for workers and the public have been meet.

4.3 If no, I request all documentation, memos, emails and communication on companies and entities you're in talks with regarding smart roads and smart signage.

5. Are you planning to rollout or have rolled out LED street lighting?

5.1 If yes, please answer these questions:

(a) What is the CMS and specification of the software and hardware of the LED street light system?

(b) What type of waveform is the LED? e.g. Square wave?

(c) Can you control the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) of the streetlight system using the CMS?

(d) Can you control the PWM of each streetlight that's connected to the system?

(e) What restrictions do you have in place for the control of the PWM?

(f) What is the UK, EU and International safety limit (low and high) for the amount of 'flicker' (Hz) the Human Body and eyes can be exposed to and for how long?

(g) I request to see the training manual and safety operation manual for the CMS and the LED streetlight system.

(h) Who is the company who is or has installed the CMS LED streetlight system?

(i) What company maintains and repairs the CMS and LED streetlight system?

(j) What entity and Officer is responsible for the safety standards for the CMS and LED streetlight system?

(k) I request proof e.g. a certificate from Hastings Borough Council that confirms that UK, EU and International safety standards for workers and the public have been meet.

(l) What is the amount of Blue Light leakage that's safe for the public and workers during the LED streetlights operation?

(m) What level of LED streetlight exposure is safe for the public at daytime and night time?

(n) Is there a legal requirement for diffusers to be fitted to LED streetlights?

(o) How have you have addressed the amount of Oxidative Stress on Human and Animal cells that's produced from LED?

5.2 If no, then I request a declaration from Hastings Borough Council that you will not be installing LED streetlights in the future. If you cannot provide a declaration, I would like the following answered in the future tense:

(a) What is the CMS and specification of the software and hardware of the LED street light system?

(b) What type of waveform is the LED? e.g. Square wave?

(c) Can you control the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) of the streetlight system using the CMS?

(d) Can you control the PWM of each streetlight that's connected to the system?

(e) What restrictions do you have in place for the control of the PWM?

(f) What is the UK, EU and International safety limit (low and high) for the amount of 'flicker' (Hz) the Human Body and eyes can be exposed to and for how long?

(g) I request to see the training manual and safety operation manual for the CMS and the LED streetlight system.

(h) Who is the company who is or has installed the CMS LED streetlight system?

(i) What company maintains and repairs the CMS and LED streetlight system?

(j) What entity and Officer is responsible for the safety standards for the CMS and LED streetlight system?

(k) I request proof e.g. a certificate from Hastings Borough Council that confirms that UK, EU and International safety standards for workers and the public have been meet.

(l) What is the amount of Blue Light leakage that's safe for the public and workers during the LED streetlights operation?

(m) What level of LED streetlight exposure is safe for the public at daytime and night time?

(n) Is there a legal requirement for diffusers to be fitted to LED streetlights?

(o) How have you have addressed the amount of Oxidative Stress on Human and Animal cells that's produced from LED?

6. I request all memos, presentations, documents, plans, rollouts, emails and details regarding 2G, 3G, 4G, WiFi and WiGig in public spaces.

7. Having heard reports of bird deaths in other towns that are rolling out 5g, can the council state if they have had any reports of any bird or deaths or injuries connected with 5g rollout? Please note that seagulls and other birds perch for long periods on top of LED street lamps.

Response

Hastings Borough Council holds no information in respect of this request apart from the following:

Hastings Borough Council's Hastings Free Online WIFI network

Hastings Free Online WIFI network is available for up to 12 hours free use per day by members of the public.

It is available at hotspots in and around the seafront including:

St Leonards seafront steps - Pelham car park

The Source Park, Robertson Street and America Ground, Havelock Road nd Station approach

Stade Open Space - Winch Road - Rock-a-Nore car park

It was installed in 2016, and extended in 2017 using funding that Hastings Borough Council secured through the Coastal Communities Funding via the Ministry for Housing, Community and Local Government

Street Lighting is dealt with by East Sussex County Council, please visit their website for further information: www.eastsussex.gov.uk