The Cabinet considered the report of the Interim Director of Technical Services outlining the successful funding bid made by the Merseyside Transport Partnership (MTP) to the Department for Transport (DfT) to deliver a programme of sustainable transport measures. 

The report indicated that the funding would assist the Council to support Wirral residents to access employment opportunities, as well as encourage the use of sustainable transport and contribute to reducing carbon emissions in the Borough.

The report sought authority from Cabinet to accept and commit the funding from Merseytravel, and to give delegated authority to the Interim Director of Technical Services, in conjunction with the Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management, to enter into a funding agreement with Merseytravel.

The report set out the projects included in the bid and detailed how the programme would be delivered and developed and also sought delegated authority for the Interim Director of Technical Services to approve the identified scheme(s) for delivery in 2012/13

In response to Members questions in relation to the remit of Area Forums in relation to traffic calming schemes, the Interim Director of Technical Services indicated that Officers had met with the Area Forums regarding this and it was planned to revisit the Area Forums to further consult with them on future plans.

Councillor H Smith asked the Cabinet to consider the following addition to the recommendations detailed within the report and it was -

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the success of Wirral Council Officers and other partners in securing Local Sustainable Transport Major Bid Funding be noted;

(2)  the acceptance of £3,215,116 of Major Bid funding from Merseytravel over the three financial years 2012/13 to 2014/15 of which £1,149,049 is revenue funding, £2,026,550 is capital funding and £39,517 for maintenance be approved;

(3)  the Interim Director of Technical Services in conjunction with the Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management be authorised to finalise the funding agreement between Wirral Council and Merseytravel (ITA) as the lead authority and accountable body;

(4)  the delivery of the programme for 2012/13 as set out in Section 3 of the report including delegated authority to the Interim Director of Technical Services following discussions with the Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Transport Services and Party Spokespersons to approve the identified scheme(s) for delivery in 2012/13 be approved;

(5)  Officers be requested to report to a future meeting on the progress in delivering Local Sustainable Transport Major Bid Funding and provide detailed plans for delivery for 2013/14 onwards;

(6)  the award of this extra LSTF funding to support the Council’s LTP Programme which includes £220,000 for use by Area Forums be noted , and the Interim Director of Technical Services be instructed to release the funding with immediate effect and consult with each Area Forum with a view to using this allocation for 20mph or other road safety schemes.