Issue - meetings

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

i)             Noted and accepted the revised allocation of Integrated Transport Block funding of £1.364m in 2022/23.

ii)            Noted and accepted the receipt of the government grants totalling £9.768m per annum in 2023/24 made up of the following:

·         Highways Maintenance Block needs element - £3.735m

·         Highways Maintenance Block incentive element (subject to confirmation) - £0.934m

·         Potholes Fund - £3.735m

·         Integrated Transport Block Funding - £1.364m

iii)           Approved the distribution of spending of the grants on maintaining and upgrading the highways network as set out in the Northamptonshire Transportation Plan.

Reason for Recommendation – To support delivery of the priorities laid out in the Northamptonshire Transportation Plan by utilisation of the government grant to support and maintain the Council’s Highways infrastructure and transport network. 

Alternative Options Considered: Options would include not spending the money and allowing DfT to recoup it. Alternatively, the Council could choose to spend the money on schemes that are not a priority in line with the Northamptonshire Transportation Plan

The Chair invited Cllr Graham Lawman, Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets to introduce a report that sought to inform the Executive of the grants received from the Department for Transport (DfT) for infrastructure improvements and to confirm the allocation of spend on the highways network in accordance with the priorities laid out in the Northamptonshire Transportation Plan.

Cllr Lawman reported that a three-year grant funding allocation had been announced by Government in February 2022 with the report before members covering the second annual tranche. It was noted that figures relating to Integrated Transport Block Funding had been adjusted from that provided in 2022 due to a DfT miscalculation. Highways improvement schemes were based on need, with input from officers, residents and stakeholders taken into account.

Cllr Pentland spoke to note the importance of the Integrated Transport Block Funding in relation to walking and cycling networks as a priority for local residents.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

i)               Noted and accepted the revised allocation of Integrated Transport Block funding of £1.364m in 2022/23.

ii)              Noted and accepted the receipt of the government grants totalling £9.768m per annum in 2023/24 made up of the following:

·       Highways Maintenance Block needs element - £3.735m

·       Highways Maintenance Block incentive element (subject to confirmation) - £0.934m

·       Potholes Fund - £3.735m

·       Integrated Transport Block Funding - £1.364m

iii)            Approved the distribution of spending of the grants on maintaining and upgrading the highways network as set out in the Northamptonshire Transportation Plan.

Reason for Recommendation – To support delivery of the priorities laid out in the Northamptonshire Transportation Plan by utilisation of the government grant to support and maintain the Council’s Highways infrastructure and transport network. 

Alternative Options Considered: Options would include not spending the money and allowing DfT to recoup it. Alternatively, the Council could choose to spend the money on schemes that are not a priority in line with the Northamptonshire Transportation Plan

(Following the conclusion of voting on this item, a brief comfort break was taken at 11.05am)