Issue - meetings

This report summarises the proposed 2025/26 capital programme and a provisional programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30. The Committee’s approval is sought for the programme to be submitted to Council in February 2025.

The Committee resolved (7 for, and 1 abstaining) to:

(1)          Submit the capital programme for 2025/26 as identified in section 3 of the report to the Council for approval on 11 February 2025;

(2)          Note the provisional forecast of schemes for the capital programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30.

The Committee received a report summarising the proposed 2025/26 capital programme and a provisional programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30. The Committee’s approval was sought for the programme to be submitted to Council in February 2025.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            CIL Funding. In response to a question from a Member, the Head of Place Development and Chief Accountant confirmed that CIL funding can only be used for new development and cannot be used to repair or replace existing deficiencies. The Chief Accountant stated that the possibility of upgrading the Court Recreation Ground 3G football pitch to a 5G pitch was explored, but it transpired that the upkeep and running costs of a 5G pitch would have been unviable. She stated that, going forward, greater investigations would be made into where CIL funding could be utilised for developments over capital receipts.

b)            Streamlining of Schemes. In response to a comment from a Member, the Chief Accountant explained that capital schemes often require streamlining in order to preserve a balance in the capital receipts reserve. She stated that, in instances where projects are reduced in scope, such as the reduction from three storeys to one for the Ashley centre car park waterproof membrane project, it is not to say that those works will never be done, and provided reassurance that the works may still be considered as part of future schemes.

c)            Tendering Process. In response to a question from a Member, the Chief Accountant explained that initial estimates are often sought prior to going out to tender in order to ascertain the financial viability of a scheme.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (7 for, and 1 abstaining) to:

(1)          Submit the capital programme for 2025/26 as identified in section 3 of the report to the Council for approval on 11 February 2025;

(2)          Note the provisional forecast of schemes for the capital programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30.