Agenda item - Transforming Cities Programme - Key Decision

Agenda item

Transforming Cities Programme - Key Decision

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Local Transport

Minutes:

The Board considered the report of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Local Transport detailing grant awards of £177million to deliver a wide variety of projects as part of the Transforming Cities Fund and Future Transport Zones programme. The following points were made during discussion:

 

(a)  The bid, led by Nottingham City Council was the only one in the country to receive the total amount bid for reflecting the strong reputation Nottingham has for integrated transport and sustainable public transport systems as well as delivering programmes around transport improvement;

 

(b)  The projects will include linking key employment sites, improving intercity connectivity, improving bus times, improvements to active transport routes including the potential for a foot and cycle bridge over the River Trent supporting the Riverside regeneration;

 

(c)  Additional Park and Ride sites are being considered subject to land availability, and expansion to existing lines will support more sustainable travel for citizens. 

 

The Board congratulated the teams behind the bid and highlighted the strength in partnership work between Nottingham City Council and Derby City Council,

 

Resolved to:

 

(1)  Accept the remaining 2020/21 – 2022/23 Department for Transport grant award of £153 million for the delivery of the Transforming Cities Fund: Tranche 2 programme in Nottingham and Derby;

 

(2)  Accept the remaining 2021/22- 2022/23 Department for Transport Grant Award of £6.7million for the delivery of the Future Transport Zones programme in Nottingham and Derby;

 

(3)  Approve the initiation of procurement activities for the Transforming Cities Fund, as set out in Table 1 of Appendix B, and delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Development and Growth to appoint preferred suppliers and contractors to deliver the programme;

 

(4)  Approve the funding allocations to Derby City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council as set out in Table 2 of Appendix B;

 

(5)  Approve the initiation of procurement activities for the Future Transport Zones, as set out in Table 3 of Appendix C, and delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Development and Growth to appoint preferred suppliers and contractors to deliver the programme;

 

(6)  Approve the establishment of a new joint Nottingham and Derby Transport Programme Delivery Board; and

 

(7)  Note that both the Transforming Cities Fund and Future Transport Zone Programmes will be established and delivered in full accordance with the Council’s corporate approach to programme and project management, including rigorous monitoring through the Council’s Gateway/Project Assurance review processes.

 

 

 

Reasons for decision

The programme will support sustainability and will significantly contribute to the Council’s Carbon Neutral plan and local air quality targets. These programmes will be important in supporting economic recovery helping people back to work in light of the current Covid-19 situation and will provide local employment opportunities through direct works and in associated supply chains.

 

It will improve transport options within the city and into the surrounding areas, improving connectivity to key employment sites as well as heritage sites. Interchange facilities at key transport nodes will be a focus as will urban growth corridors in both Nottingham and Derby.

 

Other options considered

There are two alternative options that were considered. The first was to refuse the funding. This was rejected as it would mean that the Council would be unable to deliver the additional transport improvement projects included within the bids. This would lead to a detrimental impact on the delivery of wider schemes supported by the Transforming Cities Fund and the Future Transport Zone programme.

 

The second option was to vary the programme to that detailed in the bid. This was rejected as it would have lead the Council to be in breach of the terms and conditions of the grant funding and adversely impacted on the Council’s reputation as a leader in local transport delivery.

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: