A decision from Cabinet is being sought to: -
i.) Confirm that Kent County Council continues to act as the Accountable Body for the Kent Thameside Strategic Transport (Homes & Roads) Programme.
ii.) Entrust the setting up of the Governance arrangements for the Kent Thameside Strategic Transport (Homes & Roads) Programme to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economic Development in consultation with Dartford and Gravesham Borough Councils.
iii.) Authorise the Corporate Director, Business Strategy & Support in consultation with the Corporate Director, Enterprise & Environment to negotiate and execute legal and/or partnership agreements pursuant to the delivery and management of the Kent Thameside Strategic Transport (Homes & Roads) Programme.
How the decision relates to BS4K and Corporate Objectives:
The Kent Thameside Strategic Transport Programme would deliver key improvements to the strategic transport network enabling the planned level of development to be realised. This relates directly to Ambition 1 (To Grow the Economy) of the Vision for Kent 2011-22 and actions set out in Bold Steps for Kent to “Drive Economic Prosperity”.
Impact/costs and risks of proposed decision:
The Council is to act as the Accountable Body for the Kent Thameside Strategic Transport Programme and as such would be required to manage the risks. The principal risks are the potential increase in scheme costs and a lack of funding coming forward. The Programme is funded predominantly through public sector grant and private sector contributions. A limited level of funding for the Programme is to come from the New Homes Bonus. This has a funding implication for the Council currently estimated at £1.03m.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
Notice of proposed decision first published: 20/02/2017
Decision due: 15 Oct 2012 by Cabinet
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: Stephen Dukes, Economic Development Officer Email: stephen.dukes@kent.gov.uk.
Consultation process
A Decision for the Kent Thameside Strategic Transport (Homes & Roads) Programme was included within the Forward Plan in April 2010 but was subsequently withdrawn in early 2011 as a result of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2010 and the implications this had on future public sector funding commitments to the programme.
Consultees
No
Aims and level(s) of consultation (KCC consultation levels attached)
Consultation is to be carried out internally within the Council and externally with key stakeholders (see below). Internal consultation will include Legal Services; Corporate Finance; Chief Officer Group; Cabinet Members for Regeneration & Economic Development, Environment Highways & Waste and Finance & Business Support; Local Members for Dartford and Gravesham.
Key consultee groups
Dartford Borough Council
Gravesham Borough Council
Department for Communities & Local Government/Homes & Communities Agency
Department for Transport/Highways Agency.
Start and finish dates of consultation.
28th June – 31st July
Equalities Impact Assessment included in the consultation documentation. Please state where this can be found.
Yes, included as an Appendix to the consultation report.
Date of publication of consultation outcomes and updated Equalities Impact Assessment
10th August
Informing Only (Who and when)
Local Members and Key Stakeholders by 7th September
Has the matter already been discussed by a Cabinet Committee? If not when will be it discussed by the Cabinet Committee and the date of the meeting
Environment, Highways & Waste Cabinet Committee – 20th September
Economic Development Cabinet Committee – 21st September
Is the matter referred to in your Business Plan or Medium Term Capital Programme?
Yes
Which Members and electoral Divisions are affected by this proposed decision? Is it All Members?
Anne Allen (Wilmington)
Penny Cole (Dartford East)
Jeremy Kite MBE (Dartford Rural)
Richard Lees (Swanscombe & Greenhithe)
Jan Ozog (Dartford West)
AvtarSandhu MBE (Dartford North East)
Leslie Christie (Northfleet & Gravesend West)
Harold Craske (Northfleet & Gravesend West)
John Cubitt (Gravesham East)
Michael Snelling (Gravesham Rural)
Bryan Sweetland (Gravesham East)
Financial implications: Stephen Dukes - BSS Economic & Spatial Development Unit 01622 – 221962 stephen.dukes@kent.gov.uk
Legal implications: 12/01953
Equalities implications: This constitutes a Key Decision because: - i.) It would result in the Council incurring expenditure to support the Programme currently estimated at £1.03m from revenue relating to New Homes Bonus. ii.) The Programme involves improvements to the strategic transport network across Kent Thameside over a 20-year period that would have significant effects on the local community. iii.) In acting as the Accountable Body for the Programme the Council would be required to manage the associated risks.