To receive any questions or petitions from members of the public
Minutes:
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5.1 |
Simon Ogden attended the meeting and asked the following questions to which the Chair responded:
The report suggests that several projects within the programme are now likely to be ‘paused’ due to budget limitations ‘possibly leading to their demise’ ;- a potentially fatal set-back for most - but does not reveal which ones they are or by what criteria they have been selected. However their identity could possibly be deduced as those not mentioned in Appendix 1 namely: · Skills and Education Post 16 Hub · Improved Access and Wayfinding · Cycling and Walking Trails · River Don Improvements
We think this committee and the public should be more fully informed on this significant decision, its rationale and implications.
a) Can officers clarify which projects may be put forward by them for pausing and possible abandonment as described in para 1.2.5 and why there has been no stakeholder engagement to explain or possibly avoid this situation through cost savings?
Answer: The Towns Fund Board are responsible for commissioning and prioritising the Towns Fund projects. The Council will provide information on costs, deliverability and outline implications for the programme of activity so that the Board can develop and implement an affordable delivery plan.
The Board are a stakeholders group and have involved both interested and impacted parties from Stocksbridge, along with interest groups from outside the Town, throughout the development stage of each project. When funding and approvals are confirmed the Board will need to determine how best to engage with the community and wider stakeholders should changes to the Programme need to be made.
b) What criteria will be used to assist the Towns Fund Board in deciding which projects are to be ‘paused’? Will more recent public consultation results and Stakeholder views on these proposals be sought and reported to the December Board?
Answer: The Board will be provided with information in respect to costs, deliverability and benefit-cost ratios to help them make programme decisions. No further consultation is planned at this time but will take place in due course.
c) How for example has the Trails Project gone from ‘within budget and locked down’ (as reported by the Programme Manager in the June Stakeholder notes) to ‘ circa £1m over its budget, mainly due to the requirement to provide for long term maintenance ‘ reported to the meeting in July without further explanation or dialogue? Can you share the makeup of the increased costs and any alleged ‘scope creep’with stakeholders?
Answer: The funding submissions to Government earlier this year required the development of outline project specifications and cost estimates. More recent cost estimates been finalised that have identified cost pressures against a number of projects. The Towns Fund Board have been briefed throughout the process and will determine the engagement approach going forward.
d) If as we believe this increase is mainly due to the cost of a particular commuted sum relating to Holmes Farm Bridge, why has the option of omitting the bridge from the project scope not been considered as suggested by stakeholders? The bridge is already part of a long-established public footpath on the Councils Definitive Rights of Way Map. It also provides an occasional but essential operational vehicle access for Network Rail, Forestry England and Holmes Farm who should at least share any future maintenance costs?
As with all regeneration programmes changes to projects might have to be considered to manage budgets and outcomes. Any such removal changes for the Trails project need to be considered by the Board in due course.
e) Have all the in principle wayleaves negotiated by the Trust with Wharncliffe Estates, Liberty Steel and Forestry England been secured formally by the Council and if so why has this not been reported?
As the projects are awaiting funding confirmation and approval, they remain at concept stage. Therefore no agreements or works have progressed on any projects and won’t until funding is confirmed and all approvals are achieved.
f) Has the possibility of additional funding for the Trails project from SYMCA or SUSTRANS been considered in light of its substantial contribution to active travel, road safety and the future visitor and tourist economy of Stocksbridge?
Answer: No additional funding for the trails project has been sought to-date.
g) Has an Outline Business Case been completed for the Trails project, will that be available to the December Towns Fund Board and can it also be shared with the Stakeholder Group in advance?
Answer: An Outline Business case has not been completed for the Trails project.
h) As the Accountable Authority for the funding should not the Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee also have some more information and say in this critical decision process?
Answer: As Accountable Body the Council is responsible for the correct use of public funds and compliance with associated guidance issued by Government. As part of this role the Council will support the Board in making decisions in respect to its Programme. The Council has representation on the Board and has the ability to contribute to the decision making through this route. |