Decision details

Since approval at Cabinet in March 2019 of the 3-Year Highways Improvement Programme (2019/20 – 2021/22) there has been a need to update the programme due to additional delivery in year 2
(2020/21) and the recent Annual Engineering Inspection (AEI) survey carried out in February 2021 which has provided us with updated data on the condition of the network across the borough.
The previous 3-Year Local Transport Plan Capital Programme (2018/19 – 2020/21) was approved in March 2018 and updated in May 2020 with changing/emerging priorities. This is now complete and therefore we need to prepare and approve a 1-Year Local Transport Plan Capital Programme for 2021/22 based on proposed GM allocations to districts ahead of a longer-term settlement being agreed for 2022/23 onwards in the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) later this year.

RESOLVED - That:
To seek formal approval of amendments to the remaining year of the Highways Improvement Programme, as discussed and agreed with the Portfolio Holder, based on good practice and ensuring best value for money.
To note the existing delegated approval from Cabinet for all tender award decisions, including those with a value of over £400,000, in the remaining year of the Highways Improvement Programme to be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and the Deputy Chief Executive – People and Place in order to meet delivery timescales.
To seek approval for any underspend generated as the ‘HIP Red’ programme progresses to be used to deliver additional schemes in priority order (although lower priority schemes may be selected depending on available budget, value for money and type of treatment) until the budget is fully expended in year.
To seek approval for any underspend generated as the ‘HIP Amber’ programme progresses to be used to deliver additional schemes in priority order (although lower priority schemes may be selected depending on available budget, value for money and type of treatment) until the budget is fully expended in the new financial year (2022/23). This is due to these schemes being preventative treatments, as opposed to resurfacing. These schemes are best delivered between May – July due to weather conditions and temperatures being more favourable.
This approach to utilising underspend means we do not need to gain further approvals to deliver additional schemes, ensuring they can be delivered as soon as practically possible. Any additional schemes to be delivered will be communicated with the Portfolio Holder in advance and Ward Members as a delivery date is agreed.
To seek formal approval of the Transport Capital Programme 2021/22 comprising the expected Local Transport Plan capital allocation totalling £3,776,000, subject to the receipt of the formal grant notification letter, as discussed and agreed with the Portfolio Holder in June 2021, based on good practice and ensuring we meet our duties as a highway authority. Further details of the 2021/22 allocation are detailed later in this report.

Highways Improvement Programme
Option 1 - Members agree:
•The remaining year of the Highways Improvement Programme be amended in accordance with the spreadsheet appended to this report (Appendix 1);
•That any underspend generated across the programme be used to deliver further schemes in priority order (although lower priority schemes may be selected depending on available budget, value for money and type of treatment) without having to gain further approval either in year (HIP – Red) or early 2022/23 (HIP – Amber).
Members note:
•That all tender award decisions, including those with a value of over £400,000, in the Highways Improvement Programme have been delegated to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and the Deputy Chief Executive – People and Place.
Option 2 – Members don’t agree:
•The remaining year of the Highways Improvement Programme, as appended to this report;
•That any underspend generated across the programme be used to deliver further schemes in priority order (although lower priority schemes may be selected depending on available budget, value for money and type of treatment) without having to gain further approval.
Option 1 is recommended in order to progress the Highways Improvement Programme as efficiently as possible and achieve the improvements to the borough’s highways.
Transport Capital Programme 2021/22
Option 1 - Members agree:
•The proposed programme of schemes which would fully utilise the expected Local Transport Plan allocation available for 2021/22, but with no commitment of resources until the formal grant notification has been received from GMCA..
Option 2 – Members don’t agree:
•The proposed programme of schemes set out in Appendix 2 which would fully utilise the expected Local Transport Plan allocation available for 2021/22.
Option 1 is recommended in order to progress the Transport Capital Programme 2021/22 and deliver improvements and infrastructure across the borough’s highway assets.

Option 2 – Members don’t agree:
•The proposed programme of schemes set out in Appendix 2 which would fully utilise the expected Local Transport Plan allocation available for 2021/22.
Option 1 is recommended in order to progress the Transport Capital Programme 2021/22 and deliver improvements and infrastructure across the borough’s highway assets.

Unity and Council Senior Officers
Portfolio Holder