Subject:

New schemes to be added to the Capital Programme for 2020/21 to be approved

New Capital Project Approval Request
Directorate:			Economy, Environment & Culture
Unit:			Transport
Project Title:			Emergency Active Travel Fund
Total Project Cost (All Years):			£1,900,800

Purpose, Benefits & Risks:
The Council has been awarded an allocation from the second stage of the emergency active-travel fund announced in August. This new funding is designed to help authorities use pop-up and temporary interventions to create an environment that is safe for both walking and cycling in the area. Active travel allows people to get around whilst maintaining social distance and will have an essential role to play in helping avoid overcrowding on public transport systems as we begin to open up parts of our economy following lockdowns. We have a window of opportunity to act now to embed walking and cycling as part of new long-term commuting habits and reap the associated health, air quality and congestion benefits. The main purpose of the initial funding is to promote cycling as a replacement for journeys previously made by public transport. Schemes that will be explored include Old Shoreham Road phase 2, A259 Phase 2, A23 and other cycling and walking measures as set out in the bid.

Capital Expenditure Profile (£’000):
Funding Source			2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25	Total All Years
DfT Grant			376	1,525	0	0	0	1,901
Total Estimated Costs & Fees			376	1,525	0	0	0	1,901

Financial Implications:
The scheme is entirely funded from government grant from the department of Transport. The Government’s total allocation to this fund includes a capital sum of £1,900,800 (80%) and revenue grant allocation of £475,200 (20%).

New Capital Project Approval Request
Directorate:			Economy, Environment & Culture
Unit:			City Parks
Project Title:			Stanmer Pond restoration and access improvement
Total Project Cost (All Years):			£76,000

Purpose, Benefits & Risks:
Improvements to the natural environment through dredging the silt from the pond, new planting in around the pond, improvement to the road. The new surface and silt trap will reduce the amount of silt entering the pond which will enhance its biodiversity potential and longevity of the depth of water. Improvements to the footway will improve access to the natural environment.

Capital Expenditure Profile (£’000):
Funding Source			2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25	Total All Years
External Contribution (inc S106)			76	0	0	0	0	76
Total Estimated Costs & Fees			76	0	0	0	0	76

Financial Implications:
This project is entirely externally funded and been tendered through an existing framework agreement.

New Capital Project Approval Request
Directorate:			Housing Revenue Account
Unit:			Repairs & Maintenance
Project Title:			R&M Fleet Replacement
Total Project Cost (All Years):			£170,000

Purpose, Benefits & Risks:
Provision of 10 additional operative vans to supplement the current fleet which are leased. These additional operative vans are necessary as the service is about to start recruitment to increase the Repairs and Maintenance team. This additional staff resource was agreed prior to transfer as being necessary but has been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Without the vehicles, the additional staff will not be able to deliver a repairs service across the city.

Capital Expenditure Profile (£’000):
Funding Source (see guidance below)			2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25	Total All Years
Revenue contribution			170	0	0	0	0	170
Total Estimated Costs & Fees			170	0	0	0	0	170

Financial Implications:
The funding can be met from within the current Repairs and Maintenance revenue budget, as there is a significant underspend across the service (as reported as part of the main TBM report). The £0.170m has been included as part of the Month 7 forecast for the service. The associated running costs of the 10 vehicles (fuel, insurance, servicing & maintenance etc.) will be met from within the existing revenue budget.

New Capital Project Approval Request
Directorate:			Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities
Unit:			Housing (HRA)
Project Title:			Extended Home Purchase Scheme
Total Project Cost (All Years):			£7.500m

Purpose, Benefits & Risks:
As part of the council’s Next Steps Accommodation Programme (NSAP) bid to the MHCLG for longer term move on accommodation, the council is proposing to purchase 30 properties through extending the HRA Home Purchase policy as considered and approved in principle by Housing Committee at its meeting on 18 November 2020. These properties will be used for ‘Housing First’ support for those with complex support needs. The estimated cost of the purchase is £7.500m.

Capital Expenditure Profile (£’000):
Funding Source			2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24	2024/25	Total All Years
Grant Funding (MHCLG)			1,752	0	0	0	0	1,752
Borrowing (HRA)			5,748	0	0	0	0	5,748
Total Estimated Costs & Fees			7,500	0	0	0	0	7,500

Financial Implications:
The £7.500m will be funded by £1.752m in grant funding (already confirmed by MHCLG) and the remainder will be funded through HRA borrowing. The costs of borrowing and any management and maintenance costs will be supported by the rental income the HRA will receive for these properties. This will be cost neutral for the HRA. The report recommends that £7.500m is added to the HRA capital Programme for 2020/21. All purchases are due to be made by the end of March 2021.