Agenda item

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain concerning the prioritisation of 2021/22 Annual Capital Bids.

The Deputy Chamberlain outlined the extent of the submissions in the report, which totalled £105m, which was an increase since last year. Members heard how affordability, in the present context, was more challenging and how there had been some concerns about how the ranking of schemes had been undertaken at officer level.

A Member observed that, despite the recent approval of the Climate Action Strategy, there were some environmentally friendly bids which did not have a green RAG rating. The Deputy Chamberlain explained that these projects would be assessed by the Climate Action Strategy team.

The Policy Chair then conveyed the concerns that the Chair of Audit and Risk Committee had emailed about concerning the health and safety risks of the glass canopy at Smithfield Market and to request emergency provision of funding to support this work. Members felt strongly that this needed to be progressed urgently to allow the panels to be replaced. The City Surveyor explained the extent of the works required included removing the concrete canopies and gutters (funded through existing budgets) and the need to install new glass panels at a cost in the region of £150k + VAT. Members then discussed the interim health and safety measures while waiting for the glass panels to be replaced and whether that section of the market should be closed to prevent any further threat of injury or death to the general public. The Chair and Deputy Chairman indicated they would be very willing to consider a request under urgency provisions if emergency funding was required.

RESOLVED, that:-

·         It be noted that the total value of bids amounting to £146m of which £27.5m were to be funded from existing local resources and £13.5m which did not meet the capital criteria and would need to be funded from revenue resources.

·         It be agreed that the remaining £105m of capital bids was currently unsustainable and therefore Chief Officers, in consultation with Service Committee Chairs, be requested to further consider ranking of schemes to identify the most critical bids, with innovation and reputational impact uppermost.

·         Subject to the outcome of Chief Officer rankings, it be agreed ‘in principle’ that bids with a final RAG rating of amber and red be deferred.

·         It be noted that the Climate Action Strategy bids would be subject to further review to confirm the priority of proposals.

·         It be noted that options for revenue funding of the Climate Action revenue bids that do not meet the capital criteria (currently £13.5m) will be brought forward in December.