Archived decisions

Contact: Helen Ackerman, ext 5077 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

1. That the revised 2004/05 Transport Capital Programme, as set out in Appendix 1 of the attached report, be approved.

2. That the revised 2005/06 Transport Capital Programme, as set out in Appendix 4 of the attached report, be approved.

2. Reason

2.1 The amendments proposed reflect programme and cost variations on individual schemes. Amendments and additions to the Transport Capital Programmes need to be made regularly in order to maintain a forecast annual expenditure that is manageable, and flexible enough to ensure the target spending can be achieved.

2.2 Decisions on the Capital Programme support a range of Corporate Strategy Aims covered by the Environment Department Services. The schemes within the programmes relate to:

(i) Aim 1 (Maximising Life Opportunities) through improved accessibility and travel choices;

(ii) Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment) through promoting alternatives to the car, promoting waste reduction and sustainable practices;

(iii) Aim 4 (Building Strong and Safe Communities) through encouraging feedback and consultation with local communities, contributing to improving personal and road safety and enhancing local areas; and

(iv) Aim 5 (Improving Services) by directly enhancing services, for example for public transport users.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 The option to bring forward schemes into the current programme in order to increase forecast spending has been rejected at this time owing to the state of readiness of the projects in future programmes. A construction start can not be guaranteed before the end of March and there would be minimal increase in spending as a result.

3.2 The possibility of purchasing additional materials, and equipment has been considered and rejected as it is unlikely that delivery can be made prior to the end of March.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

Contact: Helen Ackerman, ext 5077 email: [email protected]

1. Introduction

1.1 Resources available at the start of 2004/05 for Integrated Transport were as follows:

1.2 In addition to the current year's programme, the spending plan for 2004/05 has to ensure adequate provision for both expenditure on previous years' schemes where costs are still being incurred and development fees on future years' schemes. Forecasts for these commitments are updated monthly, and spending on the current year's schemes are carefully managed to ensure total resources are not exceeded. The resources available for the current year's programme are set out as follows:

1.3 The programme revisions (including increases and deferments) outlined in Appendix 2 will result in a slight increase to the Capital Programme to £13.9 million (Appendix 1). Following a number of deferments approved by the Executive Member for Environment in January 2005, these schemes are all expected to start construction this year, and collectively they are now forecast to spend in the region of £9.5 million, with an ongoing commitment in 2005/06 for a further £3.6 million as construction continues throughout that year.

1.4 The latest forecasted outturn is therefore indicating that final expenditure is likely to be very close to the spend target.

1.5 It is possible to manage the projected outturn, and avoid needing to transfer further sums to other spending areas, by transferring expenditure from external funding sources (developer contributions) to the Local Transport Plan (LTP) (Government Funded) programme. A further advantage of this action is that it allows the developer contributions to be carried forward into 2005/06 to be used on other projects (within the terms of the agreements). Such opportunities are currently being determined, and should the need arise a further report will be submitted for approval.

2. Notification of Cost Increases to 2003/04 Transport Capital Programme Included in Spending Plan.

2.1 Using the latest forecast information from February 2005 there are no further changes to report.

3. Additions to the 2004/05 Transport Capital Programme Included in Spending Plan

3.1 There are no new schemes that are proposed to be added to the programme.

4. Changes to the 2004/05 Programme Values included in Spending Plan

4.1 Appendix 2 sets out all the changes to the current 2004/05 Transport Capital Programme, LTP and Externally Funded, since approval in January 2005.

4.2 Appendix 3 sets out schemes delayed or deferred from the 2004/05 Transport Capital Programme, LTP and Externally Funded, since approval in January 2005.

5. 2004/05 Externally Funded Programme

5.1 Appendix 1 also sets out the revised Externally Funded Programme. The total value of external funding assigned to these projects is in the region of £4.5 million. These schemes are all expected to start construction this year and collectively are estimated to spend £2 million this year, with an ongoing commitment in future years of £1.5 million.

6. 2005/06 Transport Capital Programme

6.1 Resources available at the start of 2005/06 will be £13.492 million.

6.2 The programme revisions since January 2005, outlined in Appendix 5, will result in a Capital Programme for 2005/06 in the region of £13.9 million (Appendix 4). These schemes are currently expected to start construction in 2005/06, and collectively they are now forecast to spend in the region of £8.7 million, with an ongoing commitment in 2006/07 in the region of £2 million as construction continues throughout that year.

6.3 An assessment of deliverability within the programme is continually updated, and significant risks, such as failure to acquire land or gain agreement through consultation are monitored, along with costs variations and programme slippage during the design stages. It is appropriate to plan for such risks early in the programme, and therefore the current programme for 2005/06 would deliver a spend above the available resources if no delays or deferments were incurred.

6.4 In order to ensure that the spending fully utilises the available resources, the programme will be carefully monitored, and consideration will be made for additional schemes, or delays regularly. An update together with recommendations will be provided every quarter.

Recommendations

1. That the revised 2004/05 Transport Capital Programme, as set out in Appendix 1, be approved.

2. That the revised 2005/06 Transport Capital Programme, as set out in Appendix 4, be approved.

240/HA