Agenda item

That the Committee:

(a)       Supports the allocations and schemes in Table 3 (paragraph 1.09) for the Statutory/Regulatory and Retained Assets sections of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2023/24-2025/26;

(b)       Supports the schemes included in Table 4 (paragraph 1.31) for the Investment section of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2023/24-2025/26;

(c)       Notes that the shortfall in funding of schemes in 2024/25 in Table 5 (paragraph 1.37) at this point in the approval process allows flexibility.  Options including a combination of future capital receipts, alternative grants (if available), prudential borrowing or the re-phasing of schemes will be considered during 2023/24, and included in future Capital Programme reports;

(d)       Supports 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; and

(e)       Confirms that it has no comments for Cabinet to consider before the Capital Programme 2023/24-2025/26 report is considered by Council.

The Strategic Finance Manager presented a report on the proposed Capital Programme 2023/24 - 2025/26 which set out long-term investment in assets to enable the delivery of high quality and value for money public services split between three sections: Statutory/Regulatory, Retained Assets and Investment.  He gave a presentation covering:

·         Structure - Council Fund Capital Programme

·         Current Programme 2022/23 - 2024/25

·         Projected Funding 2023/24 - 2025/26

·         Proposed allocations - Statutory/Regulatory, Retained Assets and Investment

·         Summary generally funded Programme

·         Specifically funded schemes

·         Summary Capital Programme

·         Potential future schemes

·         Next steps

Councillor Bernie Attridge said that he was unable to support the programme given the revenue budget situation.  On the redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd, it was clarified that the additional £1.5m was funded from the core Capital Programme with no additional borrowing requirement.

Councillor Chris Dolphin referred to the Levelling Up Fund which, if successful, would provide a range of benefits across the County.  He said that the Council could lose out if it did not put forward bids for schemes.

In acknowledging the point, the Chairman reiterated his view that revenue pressures should not be increased without knowing where further efficiencies could be achieved.  For that reason, he proposed an amendment to Recommendations 1, 2 and 4 for the Committee to consider and feedback, rather than support.  He was seconded by Councillor Attridge.

The Corporate Manager (Capital Programme and Assets) explained that significant work had been undertaken to develop a Capital Programme that was deliverable and that the Committee was being asked to approve the principles.  He advised that pressures were already built into the Medium Term Financial Strategy and would not increase the borrowing requirement.  In addition, representations were being made to increase Welsh Government intervention rates which if successful, would reduce revenue pressures.

Councillor Dolphin proposed an amendment that the Committee support the recommendations as set out in the report.  He was seconded by Councillor Vicky Perfect.

The Senior Manager (Safeguarding and Commissioning) explained that the Croes Atti project would help to meet increasing high demand for social care as identified in a regional report and that if not progressed, there would still be revenue consequences from the purchasing of care commissioning.

Having been moved and seconded, the amendment was put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee:

(a)       Supports the allocations and schemes in Table 3 (paragraph 1.09) for the Statutory/Regulatory and Retained Assets sections of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2023/24-2025/26;

(b)       Supports the schemes included in Table 4 (paragraph 1.31) for the Investment section of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2023/24-2025/26;

(c)       Notes that the shortfall in funding of schemes in 2024/25 in Table 5 (paragraph 1.37) at this point in the approval process allows flexibility.  Options including a combination of future capital receipts, alternative grants (if available), prudential borrowing or the re-phasing of schemes will be considered during 2023/24, and included in future Capital Programme reports;

(d)       Supports 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; and

(e)       Confirms that it has no comments for Cabinet to consider before the Capital Programme 2023/24-2025/26 report is considered by Council.