Agenda item

The Department for Transport (DfT) has set out details of the new Local Transport Consolidated Funding settlement for Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) and confirmed funding allocations for the next Spending Review period (2026/27 to 2028/29 for revenue funding and 2026/27 to 2029/30 for capital funding).     

The new settlement grant conditions require the council by the 20 March 2026 to submit Local Transport Delivery Plans (LTDP) setting out the planned 2026/27 investment of the funding and an indicative programme for the future year allocations covering the period 2027/28 to 2029/30. 

The council then has until the 18 September 2026 to provide greater detail on the proposed 2027/28 to 2029/30 indicative programme. 

This report sets out the recommended 2026/27 programme (refer to Appendix A) for consideration and seeks approval and delegation to deliver it and to submit indicative programmes into the future to ensure compliance with the new grant conditions.

Note 1: the recommended 2027/28 programme and future year programmes thereafter shall still be brought to Council for approval annually.  In the instance of the 2027/28 programme that shall be in February/March 2027.

Note 2: this report should be read in conjunction with the Active Travel Fund (ATF) and Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) Cabinet reports.

The Head of Transport and Sustainable Travel invited the LTP and Capital Programme Manager to present a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Department for Transport (DfT) had set out details of the new Local Transport Consolidated Funding settlement for Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) and confirmed funding allocations for the next Spending Review period (2026/27 to 2028/29 for revenue funding and 2026/27 to 2029/30 for capital funding).     

The new settlement grant conditions required the council by the 20 March 2026 to submit Local Transport Delivery Plans (LTDP) setting out the planned 2026/27 investment of the funding and an indicative programme for the future year allocations covering the period 2027/28 to 2029/30. 

The council then had until the 18 September 2026 to provide greater detail on the proposed 2027/28 to 2029/30 indicative programme. 

The report sets out the recommended 2026/27 programme (refer to Appendix A) for consideration and seeks approval and delegation to deliver it and to submit indicative programmes into the future to ensure compliance with the new grant conditions.

Note 1: the recommended 2027/28 programme and future year programmes thereafter shall still be brought to Council for approval annually.  In the instance of the 2027/28 programme that shall be in February/March 2027.

Note 2: this report should be read in conjunction with the Active Travel Fund (ATF) and Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) Cabinet reports.

The Group discussed the Report, including:

• Members asked about reallocating funding to speed up 20mph rollout; officers advised Cabinet/Council could reallocate but the current programme balances priorities.
• It was highlighted there was no current approval for a workplace parking levy; although it may be considered under the emerging Local Transport Plan.
• In response to a query about prioritising 20mph zones over the Deansleigh Rd / Castle Lane East junction upgrade; Officers advised the junction’s signals were life?expired and required replacement.
• Upgrades aimed to improve conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, buses and motorists; modelling suggested possible rationalisation of lanes.
• Officers noted uncertainty around future developer contributions linked to the nearby JP Morgan application.
• Members asked whether upgraded signals would need rework if future cycle lanes were added; officers confirmed modern equipment allowed easier relocation.
• Praise given for improved responsiveness on pothole repairs, but concerns raised about recurring defects; Members supported more preventative maintenance.
• Officers confirmed increased future highways maintenance funding and ongoing work across teams to improve surfacing methods and materials.
• Discussion covered challenges with road construction methods causing seam failures and the need for better long?term solutions.
• Members queried the Local Transport Grant Resource Fund; Officers explained it supported revenue costs such as staffing and business?case development.
• Significant increases in funding for LTP, bus grants and active travel were noted, requiring increased staffing capacity to deliver schemes.

RESOLVED that the Group recommends that:

a)    Cabinet recommends to Council approval of the 2026/27 Local Transport Consolidated Fund programme as set out in Appendix A and delegates delivery to the Director of Planning and Transport in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy and Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure & Commercial Operations

b)     Cabinet delegates the development and submission of Local Transport Delivery Plan (LTDP) programmes to meet Department for Transport grant conditions to the Director of Planning and Transport in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy and Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure & Commercial Operations.

Voting: Nem. Con.