Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Transport.

(a)       That, in principle, the proposed three-year delivery programme in line with the TCF Strategic Outline Business Case, already approved by Cabinet, and guidance set out by the DfT in the Assurance Framework, be approved;

(b)       That the proposed Governance Framework be approved and authority be delegated to the Head of Highways in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and the Environment through the TCF Council Governance Board (CGB), for approval of future TCF proposals, detailed programme delivery decisions and the detailed design of each element of the programme;

(c)        That the principle of regular TCF update reports going to the CGB and from there to DfT as stipulated within point 8 of the award letter, with consideration of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) associated with the programme being considered in line with current Dorset Council approvals, be approved.

Reason for Recommendation:    

The delegations are designed to:

(i)         Allow maximum flexibility in meeting the strict DfT timeline for delivery over the next three years, with appropriate Dorset Council approvals in place.

(ii)        To ensure that the authority is best placed to progress scheme delivery at the pace required to meet the funding profiles set by the DfT.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment reminded members that Cabinet had considered a report in November 2019 seeking delegated authority for the submission of the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF). 

The scheme aimed to deliver improved cycle, walking and public transport. The scheme also proposed aims to increase the amount of sustainable low carbon, travel and would form part of the ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions from transport.

Cabinet was now being asked to consider a report setting out the proposed governance framework and delivery plan for the TFC.  In response to a questions, the Chairman confirmed that scrutiny was essential to ensure that this joint project with BCP was transparent and he would look to see what scrutiny functions had been included within the governance arrangements.

Decision

(a)       That, in principle, the proposed three-year delivery programme in line with the TCF Strategic Outline Business Case, already approved by Cabinet, and guidance set out by the DfT in the Assurance Framework, be approved;

(b)       That the proposed Governance Framework be approved and authority be delegated to the Head of Highways in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and the Environment through the TCF Council Governance Board (CGB), for approval of future TCF proposals, detailed programme delivery decisions and the detailed design of each element of the programme;

(c)        That the principle of regular TCF update reports going to the CGB and from there to DfT as stipulated within point 8 of the award letter, with consideration of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) associated with the programme being considered in line with current Dorset Council approvals, be approved.

Reason for the decision:    

The delegations were designed to:

(i)         Allow maximum flexibility in meeting the strict DfT timeline for delivery over the next three years, with appropriate Dorset Council approvals in place.

(ii)        To ensure that the authority is best placed to progress scheme delivery at the pace required to meet the funding profiles set by the DfT.