Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
RESOLVED:
Reason for Decision:
It is recommended that Cabinet approves Surrey County Council becoming Joint Applicant for the River Thames Scheme alongside the Environment Agency, to enable influence over the programme, process, design, assurance and delivery, to ensure it represents the best interests of the County.
As Joint Applicant, Surrey County Council would be legally responsible for ensuring the process set out in the Planning Act 2008 is followed from pre-application through to the completion of the project and that works are carried out in accordance with the Development Consent Order.
Officers are confident that being Joint Applicant would be at no extra cost to Surrey County Council as the project funding, including the approved £237 million contribution, will cover costs including resourcing. A Service Level Agreement is also being developed that would cover any additional costs incurred by Surrey County Council acting as Host Authority.
Surrey County Council is in a strong position to take on the role of Joint Applicant on this strategically important project which aligns with the Councils desire to take more of a leadership role in delivering infrastructure. There are several risks in this approach and would need to be kept entirely separate from SCC’s role as a host authority. However, there is already a positive and collaborative relationship with the Environment Agency, and we are ready to mobilise the required resources to drive the River Thames Scheme forward. It will also send a strong message to residents and Government that the scheme is being delivered though a true partnership between the two organisations.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee]
Publication date: 27/01/2021
Date of decision: 26/01/2021
Decided at meeting: 26/01/2021 - Cabinet
Effective from: 04/02/2021
Accompanying Documents: