Issue - meetings

This report identifies proposed changes to the 2010/11 City Strategy Capital Programme to take account of the budget cuts identified by the Government, carryover of funds from 2009/10, additional funds received since the budget report and variations to developer contribution budgets.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member agrees to:

i) Approve the variations to the programme to accommodate the reduction in funding and addition of carryover schemes in 2010/11, as identified in Annexes 1 and 2 subject, if practical, to officers bringing forward into 2010/11 implementation work on high priority pedestrian and cycle safety initiatives associated with the Fishergate Gyratory project.

ii) Approve the variations to the 2010/11 City Strategy capital budget, subject to the approval of the Executive.

REASON:                  To enable the effective management and monitoring of the council’s capital programme.

The Executive Member considered a report which identified proposed changes to the 2010/11 City Strategy Capital Programme. The changes took account of the budget cuts identified by the government, carryover of funds from 2009/10, additional funds received since the budget report, and variations to developer contribution budgets. The report also proposed adjustments to scheme allocations to align with latest cost estimates and delivery projections.

It was reported that the 2010/11 Integrated Transport Budget had been reduced from £6,910k to £5,674k to accommodate the funding variations. This had resulted in all projects being critically reviewed against the LTP priorities and assessed for value for money.

The Executive Member reported receipt of late comments from Councillors D’Agorne and Merrett.

Councillor D’Agorne, who was in attendance at the meeting, confirmed that he welcomed the scheme at the Fishegate Gyratory but expressed concerns at the possible suspension of these works. He referred to his support for these improvements to be carried out in the current years programme to provide additional safety for pedestrians and alleviate air quality issues. Officers confirmed that this was a complicated scheme but that they were actively progressing the proposals with the possible implementation of a trial layout.

The Executive Member pointed out that it was unfortunate that some of the proposed cuts would result in delays in the introduction of improved transport arrangement in the city.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member agrees to:

i) Approve the variations to the programme to accommodate the reduction in funding and addition of carryover schemes in 2010/11, as identified in Annexes 1 and 2 subject, if practical, to officers bringing forward into 2010/11 implementation work on high priority pedestrian and cycle safety initiatives associated with the Fishergate Gyratory project.

ii) Approve the variations to the 2010/11 City Strategy capital budget, subject to the approval of the Executive. ^1.

REASON:                  To enable the effective management and monitoring of the council’s capital programme.