To update Cabinet on the current capital programme and to seek approval to present a report to Council for a revised capital programme for 2016-17 to 2025-26

The Chief Executive presented a report, the purpose of which, was to update Cabinet on the current capital programme, and to seek approval to present a report to Council for a revised capital programme for 2016-17 to 2025-26.

He confirmed that in March 2016, Council approved a capital programme for the above period of £163.774m as part of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). This reflected funding changes to some schemes, slippage into 2016-17, additional external funding approvals and new capital investment requirements identified following a rigorous appraisal process of new risks and priorities against funding availability. The capital programme was attached to the report for information at Appendix 1.

The Chief Executive advised that since the MTFS was approved by Council, a small number of additional schemes had been identified that needed approval for inclusion in the capital programme, and these were as follows:-

• Solar Panels Civic Offices
• Digital Transformation Programme
• Vibrant and Viable Places (VVP)
• Coleg Cymunedol y Dderwen (CCYD) Hub
• 21^st Century Schools Programme (including Highway Works and 21^st Century Schools’ Matched Funding)

For the benefit of Cabinet Members, the Chief Executive gave a resume of each of these schemes.

He then confirmed that a revised capital programme allowing for the inclusion of the above additional schemes, along with additional external funding approvals and changes to expenditure profiles since the report in March 2016, was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

The Cabinet Member Resources advised, that as was noted in March when Council approved the MTFS and the capital programme for 2016-17 onwards, it was pleasing to be able to report on significant levels of new investment in Council assets at a time of general financial uncertainty. In terms of the new schemes proposed in the report, there was a strong link with the Council’s priority of Making Smarter Use of Resources, and investing in schemes that will produce recurrent revenue streams going forward, to contribute towards the MTFS targets.

The Digital Transformation programme was a radical change in approach to the way in which we engage with our customers, but should bring greater levels of customer satisfaction through more responsive service provision, in addition to revenue savings.

The 21^st Century Schools Programme is the cornerstone of our capital programme, with investment of £45m in schools across Bridgend, and we are now starting to see the results of this investment being realised, with the recently opened Ysgol Bryn Castell and Coity Primary schools, along with more state of the art facilities for additional learning needs. It was important that we continued to see this programme through to ensure that the children in Bridgend schools benefit as far as possible, from first class educational facilities.

The Deputy Leader commended the ongoing proposals in respect of the 21^st Century Schools Programme and pointed out that there would be a cost of £725k for additional highway works required in respect of the Brynmenyn and Garw Valley Primary school schemes. These works were essential however, as the school sites served no less than 450 children that required a safe route to school. He added that costs had risen in terms of other projects also, so it was vital that further investment was committed towards these projects in order to ensure they are completed.

RESOLVED:                  That Cabinet approved that the revised Capital    Programme be submitted to Council for approval and to seek an agreement  ‘in principle’ to ring fence the next capital receipts received of £1.5 million to   ensure the programme can be progressed.