To propose the draft capital programme for 2008/09.

The Cabinet Member Resources presented the draft Capital Programme to Cabinet and advised that there were a number of issues that could not able to be addressed within the funds available.  Cabinet would confirm its capital budget recommendations to Council on 7 March 2008 following its meeting on 21 February.  The Head of Financial Services advised Cabinet that officers had been invited to place bids for the Capital Programme with 27 bids being placed.  He referred to paragraph 7 of the report, schemes recommended for funding through the Right to Buy Capital Receipts Reserves and paragraph 8 schemes recommended for funding by Prudential Borrowing.  He added that with reference to the Strangford landfill site there was a legal requirement to assess the site.  With regard to flooding reference was made to the Holmer School Flood alleviation.  Cabinet was advised that the funding was for remedial works for the prevention of the recurring flooding problems experienced in July 2007.  Reference was also made to the Sustrans Lottery Bid, whereby the Council was required to provide match funding for a walking and cycling route and the ongoing funding commitment that went with it.

Reference was made to paragraph 9 of the report, schemes that could be funded from prudential borrowing.  At paragraph 10 of the report Cabinet was advised of any major bids such as the Master’s House scheme Ledbury, however there was uncertainty surrounding external funding and it was not therefore being recommended at this time.  Cabinet was also advised that the bid for the Bayley Bridge at Colwall was not a prudential borrowing scheme at present.

Referring again to the Master’s House scheme Cabinet was informed that an application to Advantage West Midlands for a multi use grant had been made and a response was expected in February.  It was added that a bid had been made for lottery funding also.  It was proposed that a further report be brought back to Cabinet on the Master’s House scheme in order to confirm deliverability on the project.  Cabinet was also concerned that there would be less funding for other bridges as a result of the Bayley Bridge in Colwall not being part of the capital programme.

Cabinet was advised of some unspent funds for the refurbishment of the Hereford City centre.  It was noted that additional funds were needed which, combined with the unspent amount, could then be used to continue the refurbishment down Widemarsh Street to its junction with Blueschool Street and assist with the integration of the Edgar Street Grid proposals for the Hereford City centre.

RESOLVED

THAT:

(a)        the funding available be noted;

(b)       the funding allocations to capital bids be endorsed;

(c)      the impact of capital spend on Herefordshire Connects in 2008/09 be noted;

(d)      the position on the capital receipts reserve be noted;

(e)      a further report on the Master’s House, Ledbury proposals be brought back to Cabinet; and

(f)       a further report be brought back to Cabinet for consideration of additional capital funding for the continued refurbishment of Hereford City Centre.