29/09/03 - Council to debate cheaper school broadband services

On Tuesday 30thSeptember at 10am, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet will discuss the idea of entering into a contract with LUNS, a Lancaster University non-profit making company, to enable them to use assets from CLEO to take up contracts with private companies.  The income generated would be used to reduce the costs of broadband facilities to schools across the area.

CLEO is a partnership between Cumbria County Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster University.  It was set up in 1998 to provide internet/broadband services for schools across the two counties.

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says

“CLEO has successfully operated as a partnership in installing a highly effective broadband network for many education establishments across the two Counties.  Licensing the use of the assets for commercial use will provide enough income to reduce the ongoing costs to our schools.  We want to make sure that this service continues to be provided to our schools in the most cost effective way possible.  This highlights our commitment to work in partnership with schools, government agencies and other interested parties to provide an IT infrastructure to give everyone the opportunity to improve their education and skills levels.”