To approve the capital investment budget and capital strategy for 2020/21 onwards.

Council considered a report by the Leader to approve the capital investment budget and capital strategy 2020/21 onwards.

The cabinet member finance and corporate services moved the report and proposed the recommendations. She explained that the capital programme of the previous administration had been largely retained with additions including: school improvement; the Talk Community initiative; care home facilities; employment facilities; and infrastructure investment. Environmental improvements were also proposed through the programme including waste reduction initiatives. The majority of investment proposed through the capital programme was from grant funding with a small amount from borrowing.

The Leader seconded the report and explained that the capital plan reflected the county plan and proposed investment across market towns and rural areas.

In discussion the following points were raised in the debate concerning the Cabinet’s capital budget:

·        The impact of the loss of grant funding from the Local Enterprise Partnership was raised and where new grant funding would be identified in its place. Support was expressed for a capital strategy that proposed a bypass but it was noted that funding for such an initiative had been withdrawn.

·        A shortfall in social and affordable housing was raised and the need for investment in this area.

·        The importance of a review of the processes around the capital programme and risk management of capital schemes was raised.

·        Support was expressed for the investment in schools and superhubs.

·        Welcome was expressed for climate specific projects in the capital programme including electric buses. The programme proposed integrated action on environment and economy and the future carbon management strategy would set out how the capital programme could contribute to initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.

·        Support was expressed for projects to construct care homes.

·        There was requirement for investment in the road network, in particular drainage issues.

Amendment 1 – Proposed by Councillor Bob Matthews, seconded by Councillor Bernard Hunt. To allocate £2.2m of the capital receipts monies to rural verges management and any remaining funding from New Homes Bonus, not used for phosphate issue or climate change, will also be allocated. The funding will be used to commence work to provide adequate passing bays on the county’s minor road network to help prevent the destruction of the grass verges alongside these B and C class Highways which contain a wide range of valuable and rare flora and fauna, and would be a means of protecting the rural environment generally.

Councillor Bob Matthews proposed the amendment and explained that recent public surveys had established that highway improvements were a priority for the public. The amendment proposed the use of capital receipts from the smallholdings sale to improve minor roads. Passing places along minor roads formed naturally over time; the amendment would formalise these passing places which would help protect rural roads and reduce the incidence of potholes.

Councillor Bernard Hunt seconded the amendment and explained that the amendment represented additional investment for rural roads which were in need of improvement.

In discussion the following points were raised in the debate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42