A brief summary of current government consultations of potential interest to RSN members. This is not intended as an exhaustive list of all relevant consultations.

- Download a printable version of the Government Consultationst here

Improving broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises – Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

Through this call for evidence, DCMS wants to hear views and experiences of consumers’ broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas of the UK. In addition, DCMS would also like to receive information on both the known benefits of broadband services and the current barriers to deployment and take-up.

This consultation closes on 11 June 2021.

Improving broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Changes to permitted development rights for electronic communications infrastructure: technical consultation – Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

This consultation seeks views on proposed planning reforms that will allow the deployment of telecoms equipment to be quicker whilst ensuring that there are appropriate environmental protections and safeguards in place. Proposals consulted on include:

• enabling the deployment of radio equipment housing up to specified limits and allowing greater flexibility for installing equipment cabinets in existing compounds to support 5G deployment and incentivise the use of existing sites for site sharing.
• strengthening existing masts by permitting alteration or replacement and increases in width and height up to specified limits to enable sites to be upgraded for 5G and for mast sharing.
• enabling the deployment of building-based masts up to specified limits, including masts located nearer to highways, to support deployment of 5G and extend mobile coverage, subject to prior approval and specified limits.
• enabling higher new masts to deliver better mobile coverage and mast sharing, subject to specified limits.

This consultation closes on 14 June 2021.

Changes to permitted development rights for electronic communications infrastructure: technical consultation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Role of biomass in achieving net zero: call for evidence – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

This call for evidence seeks to inform the development of the upcoming biomass strategy, looking at evidence on how sustainable biomass should be sourced and used to best support the government’s net zero target.

This consultation closes on 15 June 2021.

Role of biomass in achieving net zero: call for evidence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Improving broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises – Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

Through this call for evidence, the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) wants to hear views and experiences of consumers’ broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas of the UK. In addition, DCMS would also like to receive information on both the known benefits of broadband services and the current barriers to deployment and take-up.

Additional evidence, either from the UK or abroad, on technology availability, maturity, capabilities and costs, from suppliers and vendors is also welcomed.

The evidence gathered will enable DCMS to assess the options available for delivering improved connectivity to areas where the costs of delivering better digital infrastructure have so far proven to be a barrier to deployment.

This consultation closes on 11 June 2021.

Improving broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Environmental principles: draft policy statement – Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Government wants to know what you think about the draft environmental principles policy statement. The policy statement aims to ensure that environmental protection and sustainable development are included in government policy making.

The consultation asks if the statement provides enough information and guidance for policy makers to apply the principles correctly. Views are intended to help government develop the final policy statement and as a result contribute to the protection of the environment.

This consultation closes on 2 June 2021.

Environmental principles: draft policy statement - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Local authority remote meetings: call for evidence – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

This call for evidence seeks to understand the experience of local authorities in the whole of the UK regarding remote meetings. This includes authorities in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Scottish authorities were able to meet remotely prior to the pandemic, and this call for evidence seeks to understand their experience of remote meetings since these arrangements came into force.

This consultation closes on 17 June 2021.

Local authority remote meetings: call for evidence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Waste prevention programme for England 2021 – Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Government wants to know what you think about their plans for preventing waste, set out in the revised waste prevention programme for England.

Views are sought on whether government have set out a strong case for action across the sectors identified, and on the measures outlined.

This consultation closes on 10 June 2021.

Waste prevention programme for England 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)