Agenda item

To highlight the need to build momentum rapidly to ensure overall programme execution, whilst in parallel develop the delivery model to govern the programme successfully. In doing this a number of approvals are needed with regards to the delivery model, pipeline of works, funding requirements, building capacity and capability across the CRSTS programme and to approve a number of delegations.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris reminded the meeting that the region secured the biggest per head transport funding settlement in the country but now the schemes had to be delivered. This report set out delivery for the City Regional Sustainable Transport programme. The recommendations were moved by Metro Mayor Dan Norris and seconded by Cllr Toby Savage.

Cllr Savage welcomed the funding settlement and stated that this was vindication for the agreement for setting up the Combined Authority.  He recommended that the delegations in the recommendations be to the Unitary Authority Chief Executives rather than the Directors of Infrastructure due to the sums of money involved.  This would change the wording of recommendations 5,6,7 and 8.  This was supported by Cllr Guy and Mayor Rees.  Mayor Rees also asked that the A4 corridor be brought back into the Mass Transit Scheme.

[Voting arrangements: Decision required unanimous agreement of Committee Members in attendance, or their substitutes (one vote representing each Authority) and including the West of England Combined Authority Mayor].  The Monitoring Officer advised that due to the proposed changes to recommendations 5,6,7 and 8 not being supported by the Metro Mayor the recommendations would fall.  A short adjournment was agreed and agreement was reached on alternative wording as below following advice from the Director of Infrastructure and Corporate Services.  The recommendations (including revised recommendations 5,6,7 & 8) were unanimously agreed.

The Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED to:

1.     to approve the Delivery Model principles to be developed for the CRSTS programme as set out in section 3.3 of the report.

2.    to progress the procurement of a strategic programme delivery partner, in conjunction with a broad review of the Combined Authority organisational structure as set out in section 3.3 of the report.

3.    to approve the pipeline and overprogramming list as set out in Table 2 for the CRSTS programme.

4.     to allocate £450k for financial year 23/24 and £450k for financial year 24/25 from the CRSTS capacity fund (revenue) for continued capacity building within the UAs (£150k for each UA).

5.     to delegate the responsibility for the maintenance challenge fund (£32m) and non-highway maintenance fund (£1m) to the Director of Infrastructure of the Combined Authority in consultation with the UAs Directors of Infrastructure.  In the absence of unanimous agreement the delegation reverts to the Combined Authority Chief Executive in consultation with the Unitary Authority CEO’s. There will be regular reporting on CRSTS as a standing item at the CEO’s meetings.

6.    A delegation sought for business case approvals for those projects within the CRSTS programme that are £6m and below to be delegated to the Director of Infrastructure of the Combined Authority in consultation with the UAs Directors of Infrastructure.  In the absence of unanimous agreement the delegation reverts to the Combined Authority Chief Executive in consultation with the Unitary Authority CEO’s. There will be regular reporting on CRSTS as a standing item at the CEO’s meetings..

7.    to agree to the allocation of £440k of CRSTS funding to the SGC and B&NES Liveable Neighbourhood projects to commence to OBC or FBC as required, and £150k to the SGC Bristol Bath Railway Path project FBC, and delegate the approval of the Feasibility and Development Application Form (FADF) forms to the Director of Infrastructure of the Combined Authority in consultation with the UAs Directors of Infrastructure.  In the absence of unanimous agreement the delegation reverts to the Combined Authority Chief Executive in consultation with the Unitary Authority CEO’s. There will be regular reporting on CRSTS as a standing item at the CEO’s meetings.

to agree to the allocation of £300k CRSTS funding for the Bath Sustainable Walking and Cycling Links FBC and delegate the approval of the FADF form to Director of Infrastructure of the Combined Authority in consultation with the UAs Directors of Infrastructure.  In the absence of unanimous agreement the delegation reverts to the Combined Authority Chief Executive in consultation with the Unitary Authority CEO’s. There will be regular reporting on CRSTS as a standing item at the CEO’s meetings.