Contact: Helen Ackerman, tel 01962 8578060

email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the recommended actions detailed in Sections 4 and 5 and summarised in Appendix 1 be approved in order to mitigate the identified shortfalls and funding pressures in the Capital Programme.

(ii) That the amended 2008/09 Integrated Transport Capital Programme, discussed in Section 7 and set out in Appendix 2, be approved.

2. Reason

2.1 Decisions made in relation to the Environment Department Capital Programme will support the Council's priorities of developing safe communities, ensuring access to services and protecting local distinctiveness and diversity.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Taking no action has been considered and rejected in formulating the recommended actions presented in this report. There is insufficient funding within the 2008/09 integrated transport programme to accommodate the amendments and identified pressures.

3.2 Cutting back schemes in the integrated transport programme has been rejected. The programme has already seen significant deferrals and reductions in order to stay within the issued guidelines. The remaining schemes within the 2008/09 programme, funded through grant and supported borrowing are mainly sub programmes and key priorities. There is little scope to reduce these without risking the Council's reputation.

3.3 Decreasing the maintenance allocations in order to retain funding for integrated transport schemes has also been rejected. Priority should be given to maintaining existing assets before investing in further improvements. Furthermore, Cabinet has already agreed additional unsupported borrowing in order to continue the existing maintenance spend levels.

3.4 Increasing unsupported borrowing to fund identified pressures. Cabinet has already increased borrowing beyond the original guidelines in support of the Winchester Park and Ride project and Maintenance Programme. The recommendations presented to mitigate funding pressures can be accommodated from efficiencies, contributions and re-allocation of funds across the programme.

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

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - None.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor M J Kendal

Executive Member for Environment

1672Decn/HA