Agenda item

The Committee considered details of the Capital Strategy 2016/2022. The Council had a wide ranging number of capital commitments and the capital strategy, as with all other corporate documents, underpinned  the delivery of the 5 year plan for the Council through to 2022.

The Capital Strategy provided an overall financial strategy to support the delivery of the Five Year Plan.  New items in the capital programme for future financial years included:

·  The Strategic Asset Purchase Scheme (approved by Full Council 2015)

·  The Community Sports Facility

·  The Council investment in LED street lighting to drive out revenue savings going forward

·  Sustained investment in the Council’s education provision.

·  Approval for investment, with the Local Economic Partnership (LEP) to invest in key transport infrastructure programmes across the borough

·  Improvements to the Council’s housing stock and infrastructure in the medium term

·  Continued investment in the cemetery and crematorium, with additional costs for new works to extend the capacity and complete additional asset maintenance works

·  Highlighting the potential required spend for new leisure facilities

·  Sustained maintenance of the Council’s highways infrastructure assets

·  The Council’s commitment to the Local Authority Property Purchase scheme to assist residents who are struggling to find a large enough deposit in purchasing a property in the borough

A Member queried what impact there would be given that a number of schools were no longer under local authority control. The Assistant Director, Finance and Audit, confirmed that whilst the local authority remained responsible for allocation of school places, any capital spend on schools would also need to be met from the local authority. 

Clarification was sought regarding ownership of land following use of buildings as schools. It was noted that following the conversion of a maintained school to an academy, there was a 125 year lease designating the building/land for educational purposes.

Concern was expressed relating to the increase in residential properties within the Borough and the potential impact of this on school places. Councillor Anderson, speaking under Rule 30, informed the Committee that a number of factors, including welfare changes and immigration polices, had led to an increase in demand for school places. Work was on going in conjunction with the Department for Education regarding planning for school places.

Resolved – That details of the Capital Strategy 2016/2022 be noted.