Issue - meetings

The Head of Economic Development and Regeneration – North Worcestershire presented a report in respect of the Redditch Gateway.  Members were advised that the report was calling for the Council to apply for grant funding from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) and Worcestershire LEP to pay for a new junction at the Redditch Gateway. Officers were estimating that the junction would cost £3 million to develop and grant funding would help to meet these costs. Planning permission had been granted for the gateway development in Redditch Borough, Stratford District and Warwickshire County Councils, with the latter acting as the relevant Highways Authority for the new junction.  Should Members agree to apply for the funding it was anticipated the outline business case would be submitted by the end of July and works would begin on site by November 2018.

Following the presentation of the report Members discussed the timescales for the project.  The Committee was advised that the timescales detailed in the report were based on best estimates though it was hoped that these could be followed.  There was the potential for the Redditch Gateway scheme to have a positive impact on the local economy, particularly in respect of providing job opportunities.

During the discussions about this item Officers explained that the project would have implications for the Council’s capital programme.  For this reason it was proposed that an extra decision, in addition to those detailed in the report for this item, should be determined by the Committee.

RESOLVED that

1)        delegated authority is given to the Executive Director of Finance and Resources to prepare and submit applications for grant funding for highway infrastructure works on the A4023 to relevant Local Enterprise Partnerships following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Town Centre and Commercialism, Head of North Worcestershire Economic Development & Regeneration and Head of Legal and Democratic Services;

2)        should the relevant funding applications be successful, that delegated authority is given to the Executive Director of Finance and Resources to enter into any grant agreements as necessary following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Town Centre and Commercialism, Head of North Worcestershire Economic Development & Regeneration and Head of Legal and Democratic Services;

3)        delegated authority is given to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services for the Council to enter into an agreement under section 278 of the Highways Act 1980 or such other agreements as Warwickshire County Council as the relevant highway authority reasonably requires to allow the highway infrastructure works to be undertaken;

4)        delegated authority is given to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services for the Council to enter into any ancillary contractual arrangements with the developer that may be required to ensure the highway junction scheme is monitored and delivered and that the Council’s position is appropriately protected; and

RECOMMENDED that

5)        should the application for funding be successful that the Council approves an increase of up to £3m in the 2018/19 capital programme.