Decision details

The committee received the report which set out the allocation of the approved budgets for 2024/25 to the Highways and Transport Committee.

Service committees were being allocated budgets for 2024/25 in line with the approved MTFS. The financial reporting cycle would provide regular updates on progress on delivery of the budget change items, the forecast outturn position, progress on capital schemes, movement on reserves and details of any supplementary estimates and virements.

In respect of a question raised as to why the implementation of parking charges was taking place during the Pre-election Period officers reported that the Committee had made this decision back in January 2024 and the Council had not departed from business as usual during the Pre-election Period.

A further question was raised in respect of whether all the infrastructure requirements necessary were in place. Officers stated that the new tariffs would commence from the 8 July 2024 and would take effect in those car parks which already had charging. The programme to equip those free car parks with ticket machines remained in place as agreed at the January Committee and the parking charges in those car parks would commence no later than 1October 2024.

Officers agreed to check the specifics of the lease for electric vehicle charges and confirm whether there was a need to pay for parking if people were charging their vehicles in a car park.

In respect of a question raised about whether the Highways and Transport Committee would be consulted on the actions to be taken to address any adverse variances from the approved budget officers reported that the Director of Transformation would be providing members with a briefing, which would include the next steps.

In respect of a request to see further detail around the Highways Revenue Services, in particular the service levels and business plans officers agreed to provide further details outside of the meeting.

In respect of a request to have further information on highway maintenance savings identified officers agreed to provide further information outside of the meeting.

Officers agreed to check whether the £88,433 allocated to Congleton Link Road included lighting as currently there were lampposts but no lighting.

RESOLVED:

That The Highways & Transport Committee

1. Note the decision of the Finance Sub-Committee to allocate the approved revenue and capital budgets, related budget policy changes and earmarked reserves to the Highways & Transport Committee, as set out in Appendix A of the report.

2. Note the financial reporting timetable for 2024/25 set out in Appendix B of the report, as approved at Finance Sub-Committee on 22 March 2024.

3. Note the progress on the delivery of the MTFS budget policy change items, the RAG ratings and latest forecasts, and understand the actions to be taken to address any adverse variances from the approved budget.

The Committee adjourned for a short break following this item.