Agenda item

To seek formal acceptance of the funding and the programmes recommended for delivery of the Programme in 2023/24.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director, Place and Economic Growth regarding the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) - Transport Capital Programme 2023/24. Historically, highway maintenance funding was received through the Core Highways Maintenance and Integrated Transport Block (ITB): this has now been ‘consolidated’ into the CRSTS and Oldham had a new funding settlement, effective from 1^st April 2022 and lasting for a 5 year period.

Cabinet was advised that with the strategic approach for the 5-year CRSTS programme, that had previously been approved in March 2022, the submitted report sought formal acceptance of the funding and the programmes recommended for delivery in 2023/24.

The Executive Director reported that a core highway maintenance allocation of £35m (covering the first year of the £175m) would be made available to local authorities based on an allocation process agreed with the Greater Manchester (GM) Delivery Group, the GM Highways Group and the GM Treasurers.

To sustain the progress made as part of Oldham Council’s recently completed Highway Investment Programme (HIP), it was planned to prioritise funds going forward in the same manner. Ensuring that the scheme selection was to be carried out in the same manner will allow the Council to continue to prioritise the correct intervention on the highway at the correct time. Prioritising the programme using the most recent condition data from the range of condition surveys carried out annually, and cross referencing those against claims and enquiry data, had allowed Highways Officers to not only target the worst roads across the borough, but also to continue in their efforts to reduce highway claims and revenue repairs throughout Oldham.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option 1 – that the Cabinet agrees that the proposed programme of schemes, which would fully utilise the expected City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement highway maintenance and Integrated Transport Block (ITB) allocations, available for 2023/24 as per the formal grant notification from GMCA.

Option 2 – that  the Cabinet does not agree that the proposed programme of schemes, which would fully utilise the expected City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement highway maintenance and Integrated Transport Block (ITB) allocations, available for 2023/24 as per the formal grant notification from GMCA.

Resolved that the Cabinet approves:

1.    The allocation of CRSTS maintenance funding to the figures shown below

2.    The proposed programme of schemes, which would fully utilise the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement highway maintenance and Integrated Transport Block (ITB) allocations available for 2023/24, 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, Assistant Chief Executive, Executive Director for Place and Economic Growth, Managing Directors, and Directors (as relevant); this being necessary to meet delivery timescales.

4.    To delegate approval and authorisation to the Director of Legal Services or his 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 attached programmes progress (as per Appendices to the submitted report) 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.

6.    To seek approval for any underspend generated as the 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. 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.