Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet member for Transport and Highways, that seeks approval and formal acceptance of various funding programmes, so that the funds can be appropriately utilised in full, during 2025/26.

The Cabinet received a report of the Director of Environment regarding the Transport Capital Programme 2025/26.

Members were advised, that with the strategic approach for the 5-year City Region sustainable transport settlement (CRSTS) programme approved by the Cabinet in March 2022, which was attached as an Appendix to the submitted report, this report was seeking approval for formal acceptance of the CRSTS funding, as well as the acceptance of the Vision Zero, DfT Additional Funding, DfT Incentive Funding & Integrated Transport Block (ITB), and approval of the programmes recommended for delivery utilising these funds in full, for 2025/26.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1 - the proposed programme of schemes which would fully utilise the expected City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), Vision Zero, DfT Additional Funding, DfT Incentive Funding and Integrated Transport Block (ITB) allocations available for 2025/26 as per the formal grant notifications from GMCA.

Option 2 – the proposed programme of schemes which would fully utilise the expected City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), Vision Zero, DfT Additional Funding, DfT Incentive Funding and Integrated Transport Block (ITB) allocations available for 2025/26 as per the formal grant notifications from GMCA.

Option 1 was the preferred Option.

Resolved:

That the Cabinet approves:

1.    The allocation of CRSTS, Vision Zero, Additional Funding, Incentive Funding and ITB Maintenance funding as shown in the tables below:

Funding

Scheme Delivery

2.    The proposed programme of schemes, which would fully utilise the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) highway maintenance, Vision Zero, DfT Additional Funding, DfT Incentive Funding & Integrated Transport Block (ITB) allocations available for 2025/26 as per the formal grant notification from GMCA.

3.    That all tender award decisions are approved by the Authorised Officer (as per Departmental Scheme of Delegation) (Up to £99,999) and where applicable (£100k+) by the Executive Member, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive, Executive Director of Resources and Director(s) (as relevant).  This is necessary to meet delivery timescales.

4.    That Cabinet delegate approval and authorisation to the Director of Legal Services, or their nominated representative, to sign and/or affix the Common Seal of the Council to all contracts/agreements/documents and associated or ancillary paperwork to give effect to the recommendations in this report.

5.      That any underspend generated as the programme progresses (as detailed in the report’s Appendices) 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. This approach to utilising underspend means there is no need to gain further approvals to deliver additional schemes, ensuring they can be delivered as soon as practically possible.