Agenda item

ORDERED that Executive:

1.     Approved the amendment to the report proposed by the Mayor.

2.     Approved the allocation of £3.403m in 2026/27 CRSTS Highways Maintenance and Incentive grant funding to schemes as detailed in Appendix 2; and

3.     Delegated authority for programme amendments and virements up to £0.250m to the Director of Environment, Community and Culture subject to consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Executive Member for Environment where relevant.

AGREED that Executive:

1.     Noted the title of Director of Environment and Community Services should read Director of Environment, Community and Culture.

2.     Noted that the programme aligned with Council Plan ambitions, supporting accessibility, safety, economic growth, sustainable travel and long‑term asset management; and

3.     Noted that individual Ward Members would be consulted on schemes within their localities as appropriate.

ORDERED that Executive:

1.     Approved the amendment to the report proposed by the Mayor.

2.     Approved the allocation of £3.403m in 2026/27 CRSTS Highways Maintenance and Incentive grant funding to schemes as detailed in Appendix 2; and

3.     Delegated authority for programme amendments and virements up to £0.250m to the Director of Environment, Community and Culture subject to consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Executive Member for Environment where relevant.

AGREED that Executive:

1.     Noted the title of Director of Environment and Community Services should read Director of Environment, Community and Culture.

2.     Noted that the programme aligned with Council Plan ambitions, supporting accessibility, safety, economic growth, sustainable travel and long‑term asset management; and

3.     Noted that individual Ward Members would be consulted on schemes within their localities as appropriate.

The Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability submitted a report for Executive consideration proposing the allocation of funding for the Transport and Infrastructure Capital Programme 2026/27 and seeking approval for associated delegations. Members were informed that the programme was fully grant‑funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) via the Tees Valley Combined Authority and totalled £3.403m for the forthcoming financial year.

The Executive was advised that the purpose of the report had been to allocate funding to transport and infrastructure improvements across the Borough, including both highways maintenance and incentive‑based new works. Members heard that the proposals would support the Council Plan priorities by improving accessibility, reducing congestion, enhancing safety, encouraging modal shift and ensuring long‑term best value through investment in asset renewal.

Members noted that the £3.403m programme comprised £1.065m in Incentive Funding and £2.338m for Highways Maintenance, with schemes identified through the Council’s Future Year Scheme list and prioritised using a robust scoring matrix. Maintenance schemes were based on asset condition rating systems, applying a “worst‑first” approach to ensure public safety and prolong asset life. The report stated that competitive grant awards were also incorporated where relevant.

The Executive was informed that the proposed delegation of authority would allow the Director of Environment, Community Culture to approve programme amendments and virements up to £0.250m, subject to consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Executive Member for Environment where policy, service or strategic implications arose. Members heard that this would support prudent programme management, enabling timely adjustments to address unforeseen issues, funding changes or cost pressures.

Members acknowledged the wider benefits of the programme, including improvements to air quality, reduced traffic noise, greater accessibility for employment and education, and contributions to climate change objectives through investment in sustainable transport infrastructure. It was noted that the recommended approach also reduced the risk of rising highways claims associated with network deterioration and supported statutory duties under the Highways Act 1980.

Members discussed the need for relevant Ward Members to be consulted before detailed design of schemes took place rather than at their commencement. It was stated that the decision before Executive was about the overall schemes not the detail of any one specific scheme.

The Mayor proposed an amendment to the report in that an additional action be added to provide a monthly report be made to the Executive Member responsible for Environment showing which schemes had been sent to relevant Ward Members.

Members were advised that the title of the Director of Environment and Community Services in the report should read Director of Environment, Community and Culture.

OPTIONS

Members noted that alternative options – including re‑assessing the project proposals or taking no action – were not recommended. Reassessment would undermine the established prioritisation matrix and delay delivery, while taking no action would prevent timely allocation of funding and risk delivery failure.

ORDERED that Executive:

1.     Approved the amendment to the report proposed by the Mayor.

2.     Approved the allocation of £3.403m in 2026/27 CRSTS Highways Maintenance and Incentive grant funding to schemes as detailed in Appendix 2; and

3.     Delegated authority for programme amendments and virements up to £0.250m to the Director of Environment, Community and Culture subject to consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Executive Member for Environment where relevant.

AGREED that Executive:

1.     Noted the title of Director of Environment and Community Services should read Director of Environment, Community and Culture.

2.     Noted that the programme aligned with Council Plan ambitions, supporting accessibility, safety, economic growth, sustainable travel and long‑term asset management; and

3.     Noted that individual Ward Members would be consulted on schemes within their localities as appropriate.

REASONS

The decisions ensured the Council could prudently allocate funding received through CRSTS, fulfil its statutory duties as Highway Authority, support safe and expeditious movement on the transport network, and deliver infrastructure improvements aligned with corporate ambitions and best value principles.