Issue - meetings

This report seeks a decision on options for materials to be used in the Plan E Epsom Town Centre Highway and Public Realm Improvement Scheme, in light of the impact on the budget for completion of the scheme.

The Committee agreed:

(1)          Not to make an additional contribution from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) towards the cost of the Plan E Epsom Town Centre Highway and Public Realm Improvement Scheme;

(2)          That blockwork equivalent to the existing materials in the public realm, the cost of which could be afforded across the entire scheme within the established budget, be the material used for surfacing paths in various phased of the scheme and for surfacing the market place and other locations.

The Committee received and considered a report which sought a decision on the materials to be used in the Plan E Epsom Town Centre Highway and Public Realm Improvement Scheme.

Since the original funding had been agreed in 2015, now that more detailed designs and specifications had been drawn up and the cost of construction factored in, the overall anticipated cost of the scheme had increased.  This meant that the original materials favoured for the public realm improvements were no longer affordable within the budget.

The Committee was therefore being asked to consider the options for blockwork bedded in sand equivalent to the existing Markey Place surface or a premium option for sand-based blockwork using a superior product which would cost an estimated additional £185,000.

The report set out the advantages and disadvantages of both these options and on the basis that a quality finish, the longevity of which had been proven, could be achieved without additional cost, the Committee agreed:

(1)          Not to make an additional contribution from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) towards the cost of the Plan E Epsom Town Centre Highway and Public Realm Improvement Scheme; and

(2)          That blockwork equivalent to the existing materials in the public realm, the cost of which could be afforded across the entire scheme within the established budget, be the material used for surfacing paths in various phased of the scheme and for surfacing the market place and other locations.