Agenda item

At the time of writing this report the Department for Transport (DfT) have given indicative funding values for 2023/24 and 2024/25 at the level received in 2022/23.

This report sets out and seeks financial approval for investment of the 2023/24 Local Transport Plan (LTP) grant allocation (capital funding) from the Department for Transport (DfT).

It is expected that the 2023/24 LTP Capital grant allocation for the Council will be £7.9 million comprising £3.1 million of Integrated Transport Block (ITB) funding and £4.8 million of Highway Maintenance funding.

This report also advises Cabinet of the proposed programme and governance structure for refreshing the Council’s statutory Local Transport Plan in the light of emerging new government guidance. The report also seeks approval to develop the evidence base and proceed with developing a refreshed Local Transport Plan.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)              Cabinet approves the proposed 2023/24 LTP Capital Programme funding as set out in Appendix A;   

(b)             Cabinet approves the indicative 2024/25 and 2025/26 Highways Maintenance Programmes as set out in Appendix B;  

(c)              Cabinet approves delegation to make LTP Capital Programme amendments, once DfT grant allocations have been confirmed, to the Director of Transport & Engineering in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Sustainability & Transport;

(d)             Cabinet notes the proposed programme and governance structure for refreshing the Council’s (statutory), joint Local Transport Plan in partnership with Dorset Council; and

(e)              that work commences on the development of a refreshed joint Local Transport Plan in partnership with Dorset Council and that authority is delegated to the Director of Transport & Engineering to progress a new LTP in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Sustainability & Transport.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Finance, Net Zero and Transport

Reasons

Recommendation (a).

The approval would enable the continuation of existing LTP Capital Programme schemes, delivery of schemes that are currently being planned, consulted upon and/or designed and the development of future years schemes. This is a key workstream contributing to the Council’s Corporate strategy priorities, specifically supporting Sustainable Environment, Dynamic Places, and the Big Plan.

Recommendation (b).

The approval would reduce the risk of loss of funding associated with the incentive fund element of the Structural Maintenance Block.

Recommendation (c).

The approval would enable adjustments to the programme in line with any revised funding allocation; reducing delays to delivery and the need to return to Cabinet for further decision making.

Recommendation (d).

For information.

Recommendation (e).

The approval will ensure that the Council can commence development of the refreshed Local Transport Plan in line with new statutory guidance, the BIG Plan and BCP Corporate Strategy. This would reduce the risk of the Council not meeting DfT’s timescale of the end of 2024 for completion of the refreshed Local Transport Plan and likely ineligibility for future transport investment funding.