Issue - meetings

(Safer, Greener & Transport Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report regarding Epping Forest Local Highways Panel – Matching Funding.

Mover: Councillor G Waller, Safer, Greener and Transport

Councillor G Waller presented a report on seeking a supplementary District Development Fund estimate of £50,000 to match fund the contribution from Essex County Council to the Epping Forest Local Highways Panel in order to implement Highway Improvement Schemes across the District.

Report as first moved ADOPTED

RESOLVED:

That a supplementary District Development Fund of £50,000 for 2017/18 be approved.

(Safer, Greener & Transport Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report (C-071-2016/17).

(1)        That a supplementary estimate for the District Development Fund in the sum of £50,000 for 2017/18 be recommended to the Council for approval to match fund the contribution from Essex County Council for the Epping Forest Local Highways Panel to implement highway improvement schemes within the District; and

(2)        That Essex County Council’s share of the match funding be spent first and this Council’s match funding not be released until after that time.

The Portfolio Holder for Safer, Greener & Transport presented a report concerning match funding for the Epping Forest Local Highways Panel.

The Portfolio Holder reminded the Cabinet that the Epping Forest Local Highways Panel was formed in 2009 and consisted of all seven County Councillors and an equal number of District Councillors. The Panel was supported by Essex Highways and carried out highway improvement schemes within the District. The County Council had offered to match fund £50,000 for the Local Highways Panel to implement schemes within the District if the District Council was prepared to contribute a further £50,000. If match funding was agreed by the Council then a number of highway schemes would be implemented in the District which would otherwise not get completed.

The Cabinet acknowledged that the Local Highways Panel had been delivering Highways projects over the last 18 months. The Panel had a large work programme of projects to be completed, and this extra money – if agreed – would enable more schemes to be implemented. The second recommendation, to not release the District Council’s share of the match funding until the County Council’s share had been spent, was queried and whether this would cause the County Council to withdraw their proposed additional funding if they were made aware. However, the Portfolio Holder felt that it was not an unreasonable recommendation and should stand. It was also suggested that a list of completed schemes could be published in the Council Bulletin at regular intervals.

Decision:

(1)        That a supplementary estimate for the District Development Fund in the sum of £50,000 for 2017/18 be recommended to the Council for approval to match fund the contribution from Essex County Council for the Epping Forest Local Highways Panel to implement highway improvement schemes within the District; and

(2)        That Essex County Council’s share of the match funding be spent first and this Council’s match funding not be released until after that time.

Reasons for Decision:

To enable highway improvement schemes to be implemented over and above those for which funding was already available.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

To decline to match fund the County Council’s additional contribution; however, the County Council’s proposed additional contribution would then be withdrawn and a number of schemes would be delayed or not completed.