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 Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'M' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that 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).     

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that 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. 

Further to this Cabinet was advised that the council then had until the 18 September 2026 to provide greater detail on the proposed 2027/28 to 2029/30 indicative programme. 

Cabinet was informed that the report set out the recommended 2026/27 programme (refer to Appendix A) for consideration and sought approval and delegation to deliver it and to submit indicative programmes into the future to ensure compliance with the new grant conditions.

Cabinet was asked to note that: -

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.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder advised that the report had been considered at the meeting of the Transportation Advisory Group held on 25 February 2026 where the group had supported the recommendations as set out.

Cabinet stressed the importance of maintenance and expressed thanks to the teams who had been working in challenging conditions.

RECOMMENDED 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; and

RESOLVED that: -

(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: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Climate Response, Environment and Energy

Reason

Enable expedient delivery/investment of the Local Transport Consolidated funded programmes for 2026/27 in line with financial regulations.

Enable the council to comply with the new grant conditions that require it to submit draft future Transport Delivery Plans for the period up to 2029/30 by 20 March 2026 and more detailed plans by 18 September 2026. 

Note: approval for the actual proposed 2027/28 programmes shall still be brought to Council for approval in February/March 2027.