Agenda item

(a)          That the allocations and schemes in Table 3 (paragraph 1.09) for the Statutory/Regulatory and Retained Assets sections of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2024/25 - 2026/27 be approved.

(b)          That the schemes included in Table 4 (paragraph 1.32) for the Investment section of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2024/25 -2026/27 be approved.

(c)          That the shortfall in funding of schemes in 2024/25 and 2025/26 in Table 5 (paragraph 1.37) at this point in the approval process allows flexibility to be noted. Options including a combination of future capital receipts, alternative grants (if available), prudential borrowing or the re-phasing of schemes will be considered during 2024/25 and included in future Capital Programme reports.

(d)          That the schemes included in Table 6 (paragraph 1.41) for the specifically funded section of the Council Fund Capital Programme which will be funded in part through borrowing be approved; and

(e)          That a report on industrial units be presented to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

            The Chief Executive introduced the report explaining that the Capital Programme covered the Council’s investments in relation to assets and also reflected on the position with regard to revenue budget.

            The Strategic Finance Manager then provided a presentation which included detailed information on the following slides:-

• Capital Programme 2024/25 – 2026/27

Ø  Statutory / Regulatory – allocations to cover regulatory and statutory works.

Ø  Retained Assets – allocations to fund infrastructure works necessary to ensure service and business continuity.

Ø  Investment – allocations to fund works necessary to remodel services to deliver efficiencies outlined in portfolio business plans and invest in services as outlined in the Council Plan.

• Current Programme 2023/24 – 2025/26

• Projected Funding 2024/25 – 2026/27

• Statutory/Regulatory – Proposed Allocations

Ø  Retained Assets – Proposed Allocations (1)

Ø  Retained Assets – Proposed Allocations (2)

Ø  Investment Section – Proposed Allocations (1)

Ø  Investment Section – Proposed Allocations (2) 

• Summary Generally Funded Programme

• Specifically Funded Schemes

• Summary Capital Programme

• Potential Future Schemes

            In response to questions from Councillor Richard Jones on the school building works and retained assets section at page 48, the Strategic Finance Manager provided an explanation on the breakdown of the £500k figure in the Statutory Section. The Corporate Manager, Capital Programme and Assets,  then provided information on the schools Repairs and Maintenance Programme and the yearly Priority Programme created from the Condition Surveys undertaken in schools. It was explained that there was a backlog of repairs for schools of around £15m and that the £1m was used to fund the priorities that were established through the building surveyor team and condition surveys.

            Councillor Peers referred to the review of industrial estates and asked why there was a need to demolish the vacant units. He moved an amendment that the industrial estate units be reviewed by the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee to gain an understanding on what it related to.

            The Corporate Manager clarified that the units were in Greenfield and were beyond the point of economical repair; with an amount of £200k included in the Capital Programme to undertake the work.

            The Chief Executive reiterated that the particular estate referred to was beyond repair and in its place incubator units may be able to be installed for small businesses who required them. This would also address Empty Business Rates which were being charged to the Council.

            Councillor Richard Jones welcomed the suggestion of a report to Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, for which he was the Chair.

            Councillor Rosetta Dolphin welcomed demolition of the three units in Greenfield which she advised were, in her view,  a health and safety risk.

            In response to a question on Sustainable Communities for Learning, from Councillor Crease, the Corporate Manager understood that Band B and C of Sustainable Communities were now disbanded but that the Council could bring forward any project that it wished as part of its investment programme. The Senior Manager (School Places, Planning and Provision) confirmed that there were a number of projects which were in the Band B programme but were yet to be progressed which included education provision in the Saltney and Broughton area. A review was being undertaken on what could be considered in the next phase of investment, with any project not included being looked at in the next round. It was reported that an informal early engagement process had been undertaken in the communities of Saltney and Broughton which was different to a consultation. A press release had been provided to outline the key themes from the early engagement process, with full details to be provided in a future report to Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny in the New Year.

The amendment proposed by Councillor Peers was seconded by Councillor Richard Jones and on being put to the vote was carried.

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor Johnson and seconded by Councillor  Bibby.

RESOLVED

(a)          That the allocations and schemes in Table 3 (paragraph 1.09) for the Statutory/Regulatory and Retained Assets sections of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2024/25 - 2026/27 be approved.

(b)          That the schemes included in Table 4 (paragraph 1.32) for the Investment section of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2024/25 -2026/27 be approved.

(c)          That the shortfall in funding of schemes in 2024/25 and 2025/26 in Table 5 (paragraph 1.37) at this point in the approval process allows flexibility to be noted. Options including a combination of future capital receipts, alternative grants (if available), prudential borrowing or the re-phasing of schemes will be considered during 2024/25 and included in future Capital Programme reports.

(d)          That the schemes included in Table 6 (paragraph 1.41) for the specifically funded section of the Council Fund Capital Programme which will be funded in part through borrowing be approved; and

(e)          That a report on industrial units be presented to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee for consideration.