Issue - meetings

This report updates the Local Committee on discussions with the Major Schemes (Egham) Task Group and the chairman concerning a contribution from the Local Committee’s budget towards the cost of the Runnymede Roundabout and Egham Sustainable Package schemes.

Mr Paul Fishwick explained that the business case for the Major Schemes (Egham) was ready for submission and included a local contribution from Surrey County Council and an anticipated contribution from Runnymede Borough Council of £500k, as required by the M3 Local Economic Partnership (LEP) before it would make an award of costs. However, following the Local Committee’s delegation of the decision on whether to make a contribution from its Highways budget, the Area Highways manager (Mr Andrew Milne) in consultation with the Major Schemes Task Group members and chairman, had decided not to allocate any of the Committee’s 2015-16 or 2016-17 budgets for this purpose. It was considered that the contribution suggested towards the Major Schemes would have a significant impact on the ability of the Committee to implement any smaller local schemes, whilst making only a small gesture towards the costs of the Major Schemes. It was clarified that the total cost of the two schemes was set at £8 million, with the LEP requiring a 25% contribution amounting to £2 million.

Members discussed this decision and noted the report, whilst the Cabinet member for Highways abstained from agreeing to this.