Decision details

The committee considered the report which provided an update on the operation of the Ward Member Budget Scheme during its first year of operation (2023-24).

Some concerns were raised in relation to the proposal to reduce the annual allocation per elected member to £4,512 as it was felt that, when used correctly, the Ward Member Budget Scheme supported savings from the revenue budget. It was confirmed that the council did not have a sufficient capital programme budget to maintain the highway asset and therefore any increase to the annual allocation would result in a reduction of capital funding from other programmes within the service, the majority of which were safety focussed. It was confirmed that members could aggregate their annual allocation, and/or combine this with another ward members allocation for schemes that crossed local ward boundaries.

Members asked that a guidance document be developed which provided an overview of the types of works that could be funded within the annual allocation with examples of cost estimates.

RESOLVED (by majority):

That the Highways and Transport Committee

1.              Note the progress made on the operation of the Ward Member Budget Scheme during its first year of operation during 2023-24 and the ongoing work being undertaken with local ward members to identify works and deliver on these across the network.

2.              Note the proposed steps being taken as set out within the report to improve the overall scheme delivery.

3.              Approve, for the 2024-25 financial year, the annual allocation per elected member of £4,512.

4.              Agree that all Members are provided with a quarterly electronic update on the scheme by the Highways service.

The meeting adjourned for a short break at 11.46 and reconvened at 11.55am.

Councillor P Coan left the meeting and did not return.