To advise Members on the progress of the 2007/08 Capital Programme for Environment within the overall context of the Herefordshire Council Capital Programme.

The Committee were advised on the progress of the 2007/08 Capital Programme for Environment within the overall context of the Herefordshire Council Capital Programme.

The Committee were advised that the total capital budget for Environment programme area had decreased to £27,586,000 from £28,931,000 as notified to the previous meeting.  This represented a net reduction of £1,345,000 which was detailed in the report and appendix.

On scrutinising the report the following comments or principal points were noted:

• that in common with a number of other schemes the Rural Footway Improvement programme had been held up due to greater emphasis being placed on maintenance work arising from the summer floods. It was reported that the end of year outturn was likely to be approximately £45,000.
• An underspend was anticipate on the Rural Rail Improvement programme as this required the support of Network Rail who were being encouraged to participate.
• Land acquisition issues were on going in relation to the Park and Ride scheme.
• The current forecast was that the Public Rights of Way would spend at budget.
• It was suggested that greater emphasis was needed on the cycle network programme particularly in the Kings Acre/Whitecross area and in joining up the networks. In response the Acting Head of Highways and Transportation reported that a cycleway scheme for Holmer Road, Hereford, was being progressed with the Highways Agency and was likely to be completed in the next financial year.  The Director of Environment commented that the Sustrans project would make a significant contribution to the walking/cycling network.  Comment was also made concerning the need to ensure the that cycle network was integrated with both other means of transport and the ESG development.
•  Following protracted land negotiations work on the new Crematorium were now well underway.
• Part of the unused High Town refurbishment budget would be held over to supplement improvements to Widemarsh Street, Hereford, on which a report would be made to Cabinet.
• Responding to concerns that the Section 106 funding obtained through the Asda development may be lost the Acting Head of Highways and Transportation reported that this funding had originally been allocated to support the local bus service. Initial expenditure on the bus service had been met from other funding, but that funding would soon cease and therefore the Section 106 funding would be used.
• Responding to a suggestion that signs indicating distance and time by cycle be placed on main traffic routes into the City – thereby informing drivers that it may be quicker by cycle – the Acting Head of Highways and Transportation reported that, not withstanding the intention to reduce street clutter, the suggestion would be considered.
• Responding to the issue of potholes in roads the Director of Environment reported that this was one of the issues that would be addressed in the Strategic Service Delivery review. Highway maintenance priorities were defined in the Highway Maintenance Plan.

The Chairman commented that the amount of capital borrowing needed to be carefully monitored as the amount of borrowing could have an adverse effect on the Council’s future budgets.

RESOLVED: That the Capital Budget Monitoring report be noted and the Executive be reminded of the need to carefully monitor the level of capital borrowing so that future budgets were not adversely effected.