Decision details

Acceptance of Sustainable Travel Access Fund Grant

Decision Maker: Co-operative Executive

Decision status: For Determination

Is Key decision?: Yes

Purpose:

This report is to approve acceptance of Sheffield City Region’s Sustainable Travel Access Fund (STAF) revenue grant for the years 2017/18 to 2019/20. There has been a delay in bringing this report due to the preparation of the grant agreement.

 

The grant in the sum of £2,472,838 will come from the Department for Transport to the Sheffield City Region (SCR). Which will in turn be passed on to the Council via a further grant agreement from SCR. The Council will provide match funding in the sum of £266,984.  The Council will also be the Accountable Body for the grant given to us by SCR. Therefore the Council will be responsible for the obligations and liabilities of the grant agreement placed on the Sheffield City Region, which have been passed on from SCR to the Council.

Decision:

10.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report requesting acceptance of Sheffield City Region’s Sustainable Travel Access Fund (STAF) revenue grant of £2,322,495 for the years 2017/18 to 2019/20.

 

 

10.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

 

 

 

(a)

notes the acceptance of Sheffield City Region’s Sustainable Travel Access Fund (STAF) revenue grant of up to £2,322,495 and match funding of £266,984;

 

 

 

 

(b)

approves the Council entering into, and signing, the grant agreement with Sheffield City Region to accept the STAF revenue grant and the terms of the grant;

 

 

 

 

(c)

notes that the Council will act as a delivery partner for projects totalling £2,589,479 (SCR grant of up to £2,322,495 + £266,984 of match funding) and will be the Accountable Body in respect of this Sheffield City Region grant; and

 

 

 

 

(d)

delegates authority to the Director of Finance & Commercial Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability , the Executive Director of Place and the Director of Legal and Governance, to take such steps as they deem appropriate to achieve the outcomes set out in the report.

 

 

 

10.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

10.3.1

Acceptance of the grant would enable the continuation of complimentary revenue measures (such as cycle training and events, independent travel training and road safety education and training) to capital investment in improving road safety, including facilities for walkers and cyclists that will help achieve the Transport outcome of having better connected transport to increase travel choices.

 

 

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

10.4.1

An alternative option would be to reject the Sustainable Travel Access Fund grant, which would have a detrimental effect on the overall funding for Transport, Traffic and Parking Services and consequently Sheffield City Council.  All of the STAF projects are underway and have incurred some expense, including employee costs. Should the grant be rejected there would be a significant pressure to find alternative funding sources.

 

 

10.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

 

 

 

None

 

 

10.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

 

 

 

None

 

 

10.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

 

 

 

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Place.

 

 

10.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

 

 

 

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing

 

Report author: Nigel Robson

Publication date: 19/01/2018

Date of decision: 17/01/2018

Decided at meeting: 17/01/2018 - Co-operative Executive

Effective from: 26/01/2018

Accompanying Documents: