Agenda item

Budget Setting 2019/20 and Quarterly Progress Report

Minutes:

The Head of Strategy and Programme presented a report which updated which detailed the 2019/20 budget proposals and set out progress across the GCP programme. The report also outlined plans to explore the feasibility of investing in a rolling fund to support the development of a new substation.  With reference to the procurement exercise for GCP Apprenticeship services, referred to at paragraph 6 of the report, it was noted that the contract had been awarded to a joint bid from Form the Future and Cambridge Regional College.

 

In response to concerns raised by Councillor John Williams regarding progress on cross city cycling improvements, in particular his challenge to the suggestion that this work was almost complete, the Joint Assembly was informed that the amount of temporary work being done at any one time often gave the impression that schemes were far from completion when this was not the case. It was confirmed that the Green End Road scheme would be 98% completed by the following week, leaving a small amount of landscaping to be done. There had been a delay with building the floating bus stops at Fulbourn Road caused by land acquisition discussions; but these were now complete and work could proceed. The Fen Ditton scheme would be completed by the end of May 2019, hopefully sooner. It had been decided to complete the final phase of the Arbury Road scheme during the school summer holidays, to minimise disruption. Responding to a related question from Councillor Baigent about the potential impact of road closures at Arbury Road and Mill Road bridge, it was confirmed that discussions would take place to mitigate the impact of this.

 

Helen Valentine was concerned that plans to show advertising on  digital wayfinding devices at the station would interrupt the display of time critical travel information for those using public transport. Councillor Massey recalled her earlier comments about problems with the device at the station and asked whether new devices would be an improved version or the same as existing ones that didn’t work as well as they might.  The Chief Executive agreed to raise these matters with the team.

 

Helen Valentine also drew attention to reference to the planned reduction in percentage allocated from the New Homes Bonus. The Joint Assembly was informed that more work would be done to discuss match funding with each constituent local authority, over the next 12 months.

 

Referring to integrated ticketing opportunities, Councillor Sollom queried when something would be done about this rather than opportunities being reviewed; he suggested this should be pushed forward rapidly. He also pointed out that the electrification of transport was not mentioned in the report. In response to integrated ticketing opportunities, the Chief Executive echoed Councillor Sollom’s frustration and drew attention to complexities involved in achieving this. She undertook to speak to the team concerned and stress the need to find urgent solutions.

 

In response to queries raised by Councillor Wilson regarding the Cottenham to Oakington cycle path and the Rampton project, the Joint Assembly was informed that specialist contractors were being engaged with on the best options for the Rampton project and there was a lot of negotiation to be done with private landowners regarding Cottenham to Oakington. The GCP would be going back to relevant parish councils to keep them informed.

 

Referring to the pedestrian and cycle sensor trials, Councillor Massey queried whether the GCP would be looking at the impact, including on local businesses, of displaced traffic resulting from road closures.

 

Councillors Massey and Baigent commented on the planned closure of Mill Road bridge. Councillor Massey asked if the pedestrian and cycle sensor trials would also be able to measure the impact on local businesses during the closure. Councillor Baigent asked that officer time be committed to looking at the impact of the Mill Road closure when it happened; for example assessing whether there was a greater use of the park and ride and whether there was an evaporation of traffic. He suggested this was an opportunity not to be missed and may inform what else the GCP should be looking at.

 

Councillor Bick suggested that guidance given to planning authorities needed to reflect the GCP’s strategic thinking and asked that a report on this be brought to a future meeting. The Chief Executive suggested that this information could be provided as an appendix to the next progress report.

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