Issue - items at meetings - 2016/17 Local Transport Plan Capital Programme

Report of the Acting Executive Director for Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached) together with an extract from the proceedings of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee meeting held on 15 March 2016 (to follow).

That the Committee:

1)    Agrees the 2016/17 Local Transport Plan capital programme budget allocation of £4.274 million to projects and programmes, as set out in Appendix 2 of this report; and

2)    Notes the indicative allocation of future LTP budgets to projects and programmes for 2017/18 and 2018/19 of £5.391million and £5.169 million to fund the Local Transport Plan 4-year Delivery Plan, as set out in paragraph 7.2 of this report.

147.1    The Committee considered a report of the Acting Executive Director for Environment, Development & Housing in relation to 2016/17 Local Transport Plan Capital Programme. The report sought approval for the allocation of funding across a number of capital renewal and integrated projects and programmes of work. The Committee also noted that the report had been considered by the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee on the 15 March 2016; this discussion was set out in the associated extract of that meeting.

147.2    Councillor Mitchell noted she was pleased to recommend the report as Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee, but she noted that the available funding was approximately £2m less than the authority had received the previous year. She went on to welcome the funding identified for gullies and soakaways – as well as reinstating funding for drop kerbs. Councillor Mitchell recommended the report to the Committee.

147.3    In response to queries from Councillor Sykes the following responses were given. It was expected that a report would be bought to a future meeting of the Committee to seek permission to develop a full business case for street lighting. Consideration was also ongoing in relation to significant schemes such as a park and ride scheme for the city. In relation to bid to the Green Investment Bank the authority was taking time to prepare a business case amongst other options.

147.4    Councillor Janio highlighted that, despite a reduction in the 2015/16 level of funding, the amount allocated for 2016/17 was similar to that of previous years; however, he expressed concern that there was not enough ‘vision’ in the programme. Councillor Mitchell noted that in terms of a vision; this report was focused around a delivery plan which sought to be sustainable and promote alternatives to the car, and cycling where appropriate; she also added that the commitment to pursue a park and ride was part of the City Plan.

147.5    In response to Councillor Mac Cafferty it was explained that the authority had to comply with the Department for Transport, and their view was that Puffin Crossings were safer as those using it had to look at the oncoming traffic for the ‘green man’ signal to cross.

147.6    In response to Councillor A. Norman it was explained that there was ongoing work to consider the route from Brighton Railway Station to the seafront’ though improvements had been made in the past the importance of this route warranted further potential works.

147.7    The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote.

147.8    RESOLVED – That the Committee:

1)     Agrees the 2016/17 Local Transport Plan capital programme budget allocation of £4.274 million to projects and programmes, as set out in Appendix 2 of this report; and

2)     Notes the indicative allocation of future LTP budgets to projects and programmes for 2017/18 and 2018/19 of £5.391million and £5.169 million to fund the Local Transport Plan 4-year Delivery Plan, as set out in paragraph 7.2 of this report.