Alan Evans, Director of Regeneration and Place, introduced a report on the Economy Regeneration and Development Committee’s recommendations, from its meeting on 4 March, in respect to the Active Travel Funding – Tranche 1, Tranche 2 and Local Authority Capability Funding.

A supplement to the agenda had been circulated with a correction to the recommendations made by the Committee, which numbered four and not three.

On 9 May 2020 the Secretary of State, Grant?Shapps, had announced a £250 million Emergency Active Travel Fund. For Tranche 1 of the funding, and in line with DfT guidance, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority had identified the need to develop a programme of measures to reduce the dependency on car-based journeys and through segregation provide increased confidence to people wishing to cycle.

The matter was being referred to Policy & Resources Committee because in accordance with the Council’s Constitution any amendment to the Capital Programme requested by a Committee or officer in excess of £100,000 was reserved to Policy and Resources Committee.

The Economy Regeneration and Development Committee was recommending authorisation of the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Director of Resources, to approve the grant funding allocated to Wirral Council by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for the Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 and 2 Programmes and the Local Authority Active Travel Capability Fund Programme.

In response to a Member’s comment, Philip McCourt, Director of Law and Governance, confirmed that in taking account of the Economy Regeneration and Development Committee’s recommendations, the Policy and Resources Committee should not consider itself bound by that Committee’s recommendations or otherwise fetter its discretion and could come to its own decision.

Concern was expressed by a number of Members on the lack of clarity over the responsibilities and terms of reference of both the Economy Regeneration and Development and Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committees with regard to Active Travel schemes. Members also suggested other areas where cross cutting responsibilities across committees could be looked at by the Constitution and Standards Committee, which could also be causing some confusion.

It was moved by Councillor Tom Anderson and seconded by Councillor Jeff Green, that –

“The recommendations be referred back to the Economy Regeneration and Development Committee with a view to adding walking schemes in to Active Travel programmes for the benefit of the Borough.”

The motion was put and lost (5:10)

On a motion by Councillor Elizabeth Grey, seconded by Councillor Tony Jones, it was -

Resolved (unanimously) – That,

(1)  the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to accept the grant funding of £1,153,380 allocated to Wirral Council by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for the Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 and 2 Programmes and accept the Local Authority Active Travel Capability Fund Programme indicative allocation of £286,000;

(2)  the proposed Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 and 2 Programmes and the Active Travel Capability Fund Programme (“the Programmes”) as set out in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the report,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27

This report sought approval for the Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 and 2 and Capability Fund Programmes for 2021/22 and to allocate the funds to priorities and projects as outlined in the report.

Chief Regeneration Officer Sally Shah presented the report and highlighted that delegated authority was requested as there was no finalised programme to date and formal consultation had not yet taken place. She explained that

Tranche 1 funding was awarded as part of the Covid response and two schemes had progressed but difficulties in supply of building materials had developed and a delay had been required. Tranche 2 was in the form of a proposed programme and consultation was to take place with Members in the relevant Wards and then with the public. The initial list of proposed schemes was attached to the report and had been informed by the criteria for the funding and by previous consultations with Wirral.

Members discussed the consultation methods and were concerned at some schemes appearing on the list in the report and suggested that two of these - the Crescent and proposed cycle way through Wallasey and New Brighton – be formally deferred until consultation took place.

Resolved (by assent) – That Policy and Resources Committee:

(1)  Authorise the Director of Regeneration and Place to accept the grant funding of £1,153,380 allocated to Wirral Council by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for the Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 and 2 Programmes and accept the Local Authority Active Travel Capability Fund Programme indicative allocation of £286,000

(2)  Approve the proposed Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 and 2 Programmes and the Active Travel Capability Fund Programme (“the Programmes”) as set out in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 of this report.

(3)  Authorise the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Chair and Spokespersons of the Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee to amend the Programmes if required having due regard to any issues that may arise during design or consultation stages of projects.

(4)  Note that the above authority and approvals are subject to the schemes at the Crescent and proposed cycle way through Wallasey and New Brighton being deferred until a consultation process has taken place.