Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer attached

The Executive considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer, which informed Members of requests to increase the capital programme, sought approval for those schemes that could be approved under authority delegated to the Executive.

The proposals which only required Executive approval were those which were funded by the use of external resources, use of capital receipts, use of reserves below £10.0m, where the proposal could be funded from existing revenue budgets or where the use of borrowing on a spend to save basis is required.  The following proposals required Executive approval for changes to the City Council’s capital programme:-

·                Public Sector Housing – Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme (RSAP) Bring Bedsits Back in to Use.  A capital budget increase of £0.350m in 2023/24 was requested, funded by £0.141m Government Grant and £0.209m RCCO from HRA Reserve to refurbish and bring back into use 11 of bedsits to be utilised as Move On homes.

·                Growth and Development - Land at Withington Road.  A capital budget decrease of £0.160m was requested in 2022/23 and approval of a corresponding transfer of £0.160m to the revenue budget, funded by Capital Fund to remove a restrictive covenant currently in favour of Barnardo’s (previously The Tatton Estate), that potentially limits or prevents development that could take place.

·                Highways Services - Manchester to Chorlton Cycleway Area 3A and 3B.  A capital budget increase of £2.035m is requested, funded by External Contribution to deliver a significant improvement in the provision of infrastructure for cyclists, whilst also improving the walking environment through making junctions safer to cross and improving the public realm.

Councillor Leech queried whether the land at Withington Road would contain any affordable Housing in its development.  The Executive Member for Finance and Resources advise that it was too early to determine what would be developed on Withington Road however the Council’s ambitions for the city was to build affordable housing for Manchester residents and once the restricted covenant was removed discussions could take place as to what could be delivered on the land.

The report highlighted that if the recommendations in the report were approved the General Fund capital budget would increase by £2.225m across financial years which would also result in an increase in the prudential indicator for Capital Expenditure in corresponding years.

There had also been increases to the programme totalling £0.150m as a result of delegated approvals since the previous report to the Executive on 16 November 2022. The increase related to Highfield Country Park S106. The scheme would utilise the S106 for the benefit of local residents in improving the services within the vicinity of Highfield Country Park in the ward of Levenshulme as set out within the general obligations of the agreement.

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)      Approve the following changes to the Council’s capital programme:

·                Public Sector Housing – Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme (RSAP) - Bring Bedsits Back in to Use. A capital budget increase of £0.350m, funded by £0.141m Government Grant and £0.209m RCCO from HRA Reserve.

·                Growth and Development - Land at Withington Road. A capital budget decrease of £0.160m and a corresponding transfer of £0.160m to the revenue budget, funded by Capital Fund.

·                Highways Services - Manchester to Chorlton Cycleway Area 3A & 3B. A capital budget increase of £2.035m, funded by External Contribution.

(2)       Note the increases to the programme of £0.150m as a result of delegated approvals.