Decision details

The committee considered a report on the Local Transport Delivery Plan, arising from changes introduced by the Department for Transport (DfT) to the funding of local transport investment.

The new arrangements consolidated a number of existing transport funding streams into a single Consolidated Transport Fund, covering both revenue and capital funding. Members were advised that the funding settlement provided greater certainty through multi?year allocations (three years for revenue and four years for capital), supporting improved forward planning. It was noted that, if an elected Mayor were appointed, responsibility for the fund would transfer to the Combined Authority as the accountable body.

The committee was informed that the DfT required submission of a draft LocalTransport Delivery Plan by 20 March, with primary focus on the 2026/27 financial year. A summary of Cheshire East Council’s proposed funding profile was appended to the report. The draft plan maintained existing funding balances across transport themes, including highways maintenance, public transport, active travel and local transport grant.

Members noted that the proposed approach would enable the development and delivery of larger and longer?term transport schemes. The plan identified the Middlewich Eastern Bypass as a priority scheme in the first year, supported by its readiness for delivery, with other potential schemes identified for future years, subject to further design, consultation and engagement.

In response to questions, officers confirmed that the next stage submission of the four?year programme, due in September, would follow the Council’s established governance processes before being submitted to the Combined Authority.

The committee also received responses to questions regarding the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme, including confirmation of the appointment of a delivery partner for on?street and car park charging infrastructure, and progress towards a pilot scheme for cross?pavement charging

RESOLVED: (By Majority)

That the Highways and Transport committee

1.Authorise the Executive Director of Resources and the Section 151 officer to

a) Accept the Integrated Transport Settlement and Local Bus Fund allocations to Cheshire East Council.

b) Sign and return any Grant Acceptance Letter and/or Memorandum of Understanding for these grants by the necessary deadlines.

2. Recommend approval of Supplementary Capital and Revenue Expenditure estimates for these grants to Full Council.

3. Endorse the draft local transport delivery programme, as summarised in Appendix 4 of the report.

4. Note that the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Section 151 officer, authorised the submission of the draft transport programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30 to the Department for Transport, to meet the DfT’s deadline of 20th March 2026, to secure transport funding allocations for 2026/27.

5. Note that further discussions and agreements will be required with the Cheshire & Warrington Combined Authority before a final version of the Local Transport Delivery Plan is submitted to the DfT by September 2026.

6. Agree to delegate authority for commissioning of bus services using Local Bus Grant and external funding to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport.

7. Agree that upon receipt of funding as part of the consolidated settlement to the Cheshire & Warrington Combined Authority, authorise the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, to make all necessary arrangements to delivery to 2026/27 transport programmes.