Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Farnham Infrastructure Programme and progress to date be noted.

2.    That the decision to move £2.5m for the Quick Wins (project 1) is approved and the ongoing feasibility work from the capital pipeline to the capital budget be delegated to the Capital Programme Panel.

3.    That the continued development of the Farnham Infrastructure Programme be noted with further reports brought back to Cabinet for projects 2 (Town Centre), 3 (A31 Hickleys Corner) and 4 (A325 Wrecclesham Relief Road) as more detailed business cases are developed.

4.    That the highway schemes associated with Project 1 ‘Quick Wins’ is agreed and progressed through consultation (statutory or otherwise) and responsibility to resolve objections and decide whether to implement the proposals is delegated to the Executive Director for Environment, Transport and Infrastructure in consultation with the Deputy Leader.

Reason for Decision:

The recommendations will enable the Farnham Infrastructure Programme to be developed to provide an exemplar future transport model for similar towns within Surrey by providing the necessary funding to continue development and implementation.

The capital programme (part of the 2021-26 Medium Term Financial Strategy) includes provision for future investment in Farnham over the next five years.  Subject to Capital Programme Panel (CPP) approving a business case, £2.5m will be moved from the capital pipeline to the capital budget to allow the Quick Wins and further feasibility work to progress in 2021/22. As further schemes are developed and business cases approved in respect of projects 2-4, funding will be moved from the capital pipeline to the capital budget to allow works to commence.

The approval to advertise Traffic Regulation Orders would normally be sought from the Waverley Local Committee. Due to the timing of meetings Quick Wins (project 1) could be delayed if delegated approval is not sought now from Cabinet.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee]

The report was introduced by the Leader who explained that Farnham had been plagued by congestion and air pollution. The Farnham Infrastructure board was set up last year which has had great co-operation between  Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council, Farnham Town Council and the local MP Jeremy Hunt. Work around a vision statement concluded last year and had input and feedback from residents, this informed the Optimised Infrastructure Plan for the town. Some ‘quick wins’ in the delivery of the plan would be sought and were included in paragraph 4 of the report. The Leader explained the ‘quick wins’ and longer term initiatives to the Cabinet.

The Deputy Leader thanked all parties involved for pushing the programme forward and showing a commitment to local delivery.   

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Farnham Infrastructure Programme and progress to date be noted.

2.    That the decision to move £2.5m for the Quick Wins (project 1) is approved and the ongoing feasibility work from the capital pipeline to the capital budget be delegated to the Capital Programme Panel.

3.    That the continued development of the Farnham Infrastructure Programme be noted with further reports brought back to Cabinet for projects 2 (Town Centre), 3 (A31 Hickleys Corner) and 4 (A325 Wrecclesham Relief Road) as more detailed business cases are developed.

4.    That the highway schemes associated with Project 1 ‘Quick Wins’ is agreed and progressed through consultation (statutory or otherwise) and responsibility to resolve objections and decide whether to implement the proposals is delegated to the Executive Director for Environment, Transport and Infrastructure in consultation with the Deputy Leader.

Reason for Decision:

The recommendations will enable the Farnham Infrastructure Programme to be developed to provide an exemplar future transport model for similar towns within Surrey by providing the necessary funding to continue development and implementation.

The capital programme (part of the 2021-26 Medium Term Financial Strategy) includes provision for future investment in Farnham over the next five years.  Subject to Capital Programme Panel (CPP) approving a business case, £2.5m will be moved from the capital pipeline to the capital budget to allow the Quick Wins and further feasibility work to progress in 2021/22. As further schemes are developed and business cases approved in respect of projects 2-4, funding will be moved from the capital pipeline to the capital budget to allow works to commence.

The approval to advertise Traffic Regulation Orders would normally be sought from the Waverley Local Committee. Due to the timing of meetings Quick Wins (project 1) could be delayed if delegated approval is not sought now from Cabinet.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee]