Agenda item

To consider the Council’s Capital investment priorities for 2021/22.

Recommended                     -   That consideration be given to the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources submitted a report relating to the Council’s capital investment priorities for 2021/22 and asked Cabinet on the 10^th February 2021 to recommend to the Council a capital programme for approval at its meeting on 25^th February 2021, having regard to key linkages between the management of the Council’s capital and revenue resources. 

A Capital Programme for 2021/22 of £2,314,511 gross was attached to the report in Appendix 1. 

The programme was funded by new anticipated direct external grants of £995,897 and £1,318,618 of new investment from the Council’s resources. 

Seven advanced questions had been submitted for this agenda item and responses provided by Councillor Joyce Plummer, Portfolio Holder for Resources, were summarised as follows:

·         What is the rationale behind the Scaitcliffe House reception refurbishment? – The onset of the pandemic changed working practices to ensure risks of infection were minimised.  More services are online or telephone based and other Council building receptions have been closed so Scaitcliffe House is the main public access point for customers.  The aim of the programme is to streamline services providing a reception area fit for the future taking into consideration security, service provision, access for people with disability, greater use of technology and an area that would reduce risk of infection and could be easily cleaned.  Work would aim to be completed by 2021-22 and disruption would be minimised to customers.  Decarbonisation fund resources may also support some of the required work. 

·         Why is the Council paying for the Lyndon Park Highway improvements – should this not be Lancashire County Council as the highway authority? – This is not for roads on the new Estate, the bid is for contractual costs towards the Lyndon project and for the Council share of recently completed highway improvements.  As part of the project the Council entered into a promotion and land development agreement in 2016 with Riley Development Ltd. setting out contractal terms for all parties which stipulated that the Council and Riley share all football playing field developments and related development applications including planning obligations for highways improvements.     

·         What is the Council’s policy on recycling old tech equipment and is there an opportunity to donate Council laptops etc. to local schools? – Council technology is used until end of life or until they can no longer receive security updates.  Staff and Councillors are consulted to see if stock can then be repurposed for reuse to appropriate organisations. 

·         Are we likely to spend the full allocation on Disabled Facilities Grants and have we spent the full allocation in the previous two years? – expected spend is down this year due to Covid-19.  People have been reluctant to allow access into their homes as well as difficulties in getting contractors to work.  She provided figures for old and new funding but pointed out that there was plenty of funding available for requests to grants. 

·         Is the budget for Christmas decorations included in the contract with Lancashire County Council? – the capital bid is for purchasing new lights on a rolling programme to replace damaged or failing or additional lighting year on year.  Types of lighting used takes into consideration reducing carbon output.  Contract with LCC was outlined. 

·         Why is additional money required for paving in the town centre? – current highways and cycle budget is insufficient to maintain the higher quality paving to many areas of the town centre. Rather than continually seeking individual authorisation to submit overspend bids each financial year it is proposed to create a sinking fund by annual bids in the capital works programme.  This means that stock could be purchased and contractors appointed quickly when repairs or maintenance is needed to ensure that the area maintained its standard.    

·         What is the rationale behind the decision to commit £35,000 to Mercer Hall and to provide details of what is being paid for and if any external grants could be sourced instead? -  Mercer Hall is within the GH town centre conservation area which had become increasingly difficult to maintain and detracts from the area.  The conservation area was extended in 2014 and a detailed report was undertaken to evaluate the area.  A proposal has been created to add to the value to and ehance the area to provide a practical space which would be easy to maintain. 

Resolved                               -   That the contents of the report be noted and supported.