Decision details

Recommendation to Executive: 

(1)      To recommend that Full Council (at its extraordinary meeting on 16 March 2023) approves the budget and funding strategy as set out in Exempt Appendix 2 and Exempt Appendix 3.

(2)      To delegate to the Strategic Director for Place, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Regeneration, and Lead Councillor for Finance and Planning Policy, authority to enter into such other contracts and legal agreements connected with the Ash Road Bridge Scheme as may be necessary in compliance with Procurement Procedure Rules and within the approved budget

Recommendation to Council:

(1)      To approve the budget and funding strategy as set out in Exempt Appendix 2 and Exempt Appendix 3.

Decision:

1.     To recommend that Full Council (at its extraordinary meeting on 16 March 2023) approves the budget and funding strategy as set out in Exempt Appendices 2 and 3 to the report, subject to the revisions to Appendix 3 as set out in the exempt Appendix 1 to the Supplementary Information Sheet circulated at this meeting.

2.     To approve the transfer of the sum referred to in Paragraph 1 (Recommendations (Budget)) of the Exempt Appendix 2 to the report.

3.     To delegate to the Strategic Director for Place, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Regeneration, and Lead Councillor for Finance and Planning Policy, authority to enter into such other contracts and legal agreements connected with the Ash Road Bridge Scheme as may be necessary in compliance with Procurement Procedure Rules and within the approved budget.

Reason(s):

This is a unique opportunity to utilise £23.9 million of central government funding towards the Ash Road Bridge Scheme to deliver an alternative road crossing of the North Downs railway line in close proximity to the Ash level crossing.  The Ash Road Bridge Scheme forms a requirement of Policy A31 of the Council's Local Plan which allocates land for housing in Ash. Delivery of this scheme will also enable the closure of Ash level crossing to motor vehicles, which will improve safety for highway and rail users and significantly reduce traffic congestion on the A323 and the use of alternative local roads to avoid the Ash level crossing in Ash.

Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:

Option 2, to not proceed with the recommendations set out in the report.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:

None.