Issue - meetings

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for the Environment). The report seeks approval of the Sustainable Transport Works Plan and provides details of the Council’s progress and achievements on delivering transport investment in 2012/13.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for the Environment, which outlined the transport projects and programmes to be delivered in 2013/13, and sought approval of the Sustainable Transport Works Plan for 2013/14 and that an additional £1.5m Capital funding be brought forward from 2014/15 for planned carriageway maintenance.

In response to questions from Cllr Weber and Cllr Engert regarding transparency and the public perception of the decisions made around works to footways and street lighting, the Cabinet Member and officers gave a response on the process followed and criteria applied in reaching these decisions. It was agreed that the points raised regarding transparency would be taken on board, and that the details of individual sites raised would be discussed further outside the meeting.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet approve:

i)             The Sustainable Transport Works Plan for 2013/14.

ii)            That an additional £1.5m Capital funding be brought forward from 2014/15 for planned carriageway maintenance.

Alternative options considered

The funding detailed within the report falls into three main categories:

·        LIP and other TfL – this funding is targeted to meeting the policies and objectives set out in the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) with the priorities influenced by the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. Funding is agreed in principle with TfL on a three year cycle through the council’s 3 year LIP Delivery Plan, with actual funding and schemes approved yearly. LIP funding for 2013/14 was previously agreed by Cabinet in September 2012.

·        Council Investment – This funding is predominantly allocated to maintaining the boroughs roads, footways and street lighting stock. The priorities for roads and carriageways are established through condition surveys, NAT inspector reports and usage. The priorities for street lighting are focused on crime prevention where existing lighting conditions may have been a contributing factor and the replacement of existing stock that is at the end of its life expectancy.

·        Other – This funding is principally third developer funding or grant funding. It is provided through agreement with the third party and can only be used for the purpose as specified in the agreement.

Reason for decision

The report outlines the transport projects and programmes to be delivered in 2013/14 and provides transparent information regarding investment in  the boroughs roads.