Issue - meetings

This report sets out a proposal to formally join the West Yorkshire Transport Fund to enable Capital Funds to be released to undertake delivery of York’s two primary strategic major Transport Projects namely roundabout improvements on York Outer Ring Road and York Central Access Road and Station Gateway.

Recommended:           That Council agree to:

(i)           Formally join the West Yorkshire Transport Fund.

(ii)          Accept the financial liability that arises from joining the fund and to note that future increases in the levy would represent as unavoidable additional cost in future budgets. Although the precise figures could not be determined at this stage it would be within the parameters identified in the report which estimated an increase from the budgeted contribution of £500k per annum to £1m to £1.5m per annum in 2025.

(iii)        Delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Customer and Corporate Services the finalisation of the legal agreement in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader of the Council and the Finance Portfolio holder

Reason:      (i)      To ensure the delivery of the York Outer Ring Road improvements and York Central Access Road and Station Gateway schemes.

(ii)      To ensure proper financial planning within the authority.

(iii)     To ensure that York’s position is fully protected in line with the principles set out in the report.

Consideration was given to a report which set out proposals to formally join the West Yorkshire Transport Fund to enable Capital Funds to be released to undertake delivery of two strategic major Transport Projects, roundabout improvements on York Outer Ring Road and York Central Access Road and Station Gateway.

Members noted the latest position on the York schemes included in the Fund together with the key risks surrounding the Council’s payments into the fund and the mitigating measures proposed.

Officers confirmed that, if agreed, the recommendations would be considered at the Combined Authority meeting on 1 December and by Council on 15 December for final determination. In answer to Members questions Officers confirmed that the priority of the York scheme’s had been based on deliverability by 2020/21and that modelling work on each project was publically available.

Members welcomed the financing as the most affordable way of funding the major investment in the Outer Ring Road and York Central.

Following further discussion it was

Recommended:           That Council agree to:

(i)           Formally join the West Yorkshire Transport Fund.

(ii)          Accept the financial liability that arises from joining the fund and to note that future increases in the levy would represent as unavoidable additional cost in future budgets. Although the precise figures could not be determined at this stage it would be within the parameters identified in the report which estimated an increase from the budgeted contribution of £500k per annum to £1m to £1.5m per annum in 2025.

(iii)        Delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Customer and Corporate Services the finalisation of the legal agreement in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader of the Council and the Finance Portfolio holder. ^1.

Reason:      (i)      To ensure the delivery of the York Outer Ring Road improvements and York Central Access Road and Station Gateway schemes.

(ii)      To ensure proper financial planning within the authority.

(iii)     To ensure that York’s position is fully protected in line with the principles set out in the report.