Agenda item - HIGHWAYS BUDGET 2022/23

The report seeks approval of a programme of highway works for Surrey Heath funded from the Local Committee’s delegated capital and revenue budgets. This includes 2 major schemes, detailed in Annex 1 for signal controlled pedestrian crossings at Ravenscote school and Chobham.

The Local Committee (Surrey Heath)agreed to:

General

(i) Note that, subject to approval by cabinet, the Local Committee’s devolved highways budget for capital works in 2022/23 is £537,034.

(ii) Agree that, subject to approval by cabinet, the devolved capital budget for highway works be used to progress both capital improvement schemes and member capital allocation as detailed in section 1.

(iii) Authorise that the Highway Engagement & Commissioning Manager in consultation with county members to be able to reallocate budget to reserve schemes should there be a need to change the programme.

(iv) Authorise that the Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager in consultation with county members, be able to allocate any additional funding for schemes, in accordance with any guidance issued surrounding that funding.

Capital Improvement Schemes

(v) Agree that, subject to approval by cabinet, the capital improvement schemes allocation for Surrey Heath be used to progress the Major Integrated Transport Schemes (ITS) programme set out in Annex 1.

(vi) Authorise that the Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager be able to vire money between the schemes agreed in Annex 1, if required.

(vii) Agree that Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager, in line with the Scheme of Delegation, is able to progress any scheme from the Major Integrated Transport Schemes programme, including consultation and statutory advertisement that may be required under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, for completion of those schemes. Where it is agreed that a scheme will not be progressed, this will be reported back to the appropriate county member.

Member Capital Allocation

(viii) Note that, subject to approval by cabinet, £50,000 per divisional member is allocated, and up to £15,000 could be allocated to minor ITS, or all £50,000 on capital maintenance (recommended option). The schemes are to be agreed by county members in consultation with the Stakeholder Engagement Officer.

Revenue Maintenance

(ix) Note that the members, subject to approval by cabinet, will continue to receive a Member Local Highways Fund (revenue) allocation of £7,500 per county member to address highway issues in their division; and

(x) Agree that revenue works are to be managed by the Highway Maintenance team on behalf of and in consultation with county members.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

To agree, subject to approval by cabinet, a programme of highways works in Surrey Heath for 2022/23, funded from budgets available to enable schemes and works to progress.

Declarations of Interest: None.

Officer in attendance: Jason Gosden, Highways Officer

Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None

The Highways Officer outlined the Highways Budget report. SHBC Councillor Mark Gordon asked whether there would be any chance of getting a crossing point installed on the A322. It was outlined that this was an SCC responsibility and that it was on the list, but that the cost of the project was high and beyond the Local Committee budget. Alternative funding methods continued to be sought and Cllr Gordon was advised to continue to talk with the Divisional Member on this. It was also noted that a scheme for 20mph at Windlesham had not been promoted onto this years list but still remained a priority.

Members were delighted to agree the schemes recommended, which included Ravenscote Crossing and a scheme in Chobham. Thanks were given to Naomi, who had campaigned for changes in Chobham and to Cllr Hawkins who had worked tirelessly to progress the Ravenscote scheme.