Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

1.1            The Council’s Physical Programme covers 170 current capital projects under a range of internal and external funding streams, together with projects which the Council delivers on behalf of external agencies. The Council’s Capital Programme forms part of the Physical Programme and is a rolling programme of investment which either improves existing Council facilities or provides new facilities. The purpose of this report is to seek approval for Stage movements on the Capital Programme.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to agree the following movements under the Capital Programme:

·        Boodles Dam project (Stage 3 – Committed) proceed to contract award, with a maximum £560,000 budget allocated; and

·        Waterfront Hall Escalators project moves to Stage 3 – Committed under the Capital Programme, with a maximum £1.1m budget allocated, subject to contract.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Members will be aware that the Council runs a substantial physical programme under a range of funding streams including the capital programme, BIF and LIF together with the projects which it is delivering on behalf of other agencies including the Executive Office, the Department for Communities and Department for Infrastructure. There are currently 170 live projects worth in excess of £120m, as well as 100+ early stage uncommitted projects and £300m+ of completed projects which still receive dedicated resourcing effort.

Proposed Movements - Capital Programme

3.2       Members agreed that all capital projects must go through a three stage process where decisions on which capital projects progress are taken by the Committee. This provides assurance as to the level of financial control and will allow Members to properly consider the opportunity costs of approving one capital project over another capital project. Members are asked to agree to the following movements on the Capital Programme:

Boodles Dam Abandonment and Redevelopment

3.3       Members will be aware that in September 2019 the Committee agreed to move Boodles Dam to Stage 3 – Committed. It was held at pre-tender stage pending tender return and Planning approval. Members are asked to note that a satisfactory tender return has now been achieved and it is recommended that a maximum of £560,000 is now allocated to this project, subject contract. The Director of Finance and Resources has confirmed that this is within the affordability limits of the Council. Members are also asked to note that Council officers are working closely with the Living With Water Team on project including discussions on a wider project on the Mill Race within the Park.

Waterfront Hall Escalators

3.4       Members will be aware that the Waterfront Hall Escalators project was approved at the S P and R Committee meeting in August 2019 as a Stage 1- Emerging project. Members are asked to agree that the Waterfront Hall Escalators is moved through Stage 2 up to Stage 3 – Committed. Any project which is being moved to Stage 3 under the Capital Programme is required as part of the three stage approval process to complete an Outline Business Case. Members are asked to note that this has been completed and reviewed internally. As required by the stage approvals process at Stage 2, a tender exercise has also been carried out and a satisfactory tender has been returned. It is recommended that a maximum of £1.1m is now allocated to this project on this basis. The Director of Finance and Resources has confirmed that this is within the affordability limits of the Council.

            Financial and Resource Implications

3.5       Financial – the Director of Finance and Resources has confirmed these projects are within the affordability limits of the Council.

Resources – officer time to deliver as required.

Equality or Good Relations Implications/

Rural Needs Assessment

3.6       All capital projects are screened as part of the stage approval process.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.