Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of City Development which seeks approval for the submission of the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application and associated Planning and Highway applications for the New Generation Transport (NGT) Scheme. In addition, this report seeks approval for authority to spend £19.2m from within the existing Capital Programme to meet the Council’s share in the development costs to progress the scheme to the start of the construction phase. Finally, authority is sought  for the Council to enter into a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with Metro for the development of NGT and authority for the Director of City Development to finalise the detail of the JVA.

Further to Minute No. 93, 17^th October 2012, the Director of City Development submitted a report which sought approval for the submission of the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application and associated Planning and Highway applications for the New Generation Transport (NGT) Scheme. In addition, the report sought approval for the necessary authority to spend £19,200,000 from within the existing Capital Programme in order to meet the Council’s share in the development costs to progress the scheme to the start of the construction phase. Finally, the report also sought authority for the Council to enter into a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with Metro for the development of NGT and also for the Director of City Development to be provided with the necessary authority enabling him to finalise the detail of the JVA.

The Board noted the proposals in place to undertake a range of further consultation exercises, together with the legislative procedures which needed to be concluded.

Responding to requests that all affected communities needed to have the opportunity to engage in clear and meaningful consultation on this issue, assurances were given that such opportunities would continue to be provided, with the Executive Member for Development and the Economy and the Chair of the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority offering to discuss related matters with community groups as appropriate.    

A Member highlighted the need to ensure that the project’s business model continued to be reviewed in light of any demographic changes that continued to occur across the city.

With regard to future consultation exercises scheduled for Belle Isle, a request was made that such consultation covered a wider geographical area than just the Belle Isle community.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report be noted.

(b)  That approval be given for a report to be presented to Full Council recommending the submission of the required Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) and associated applications for NGT to the Secretary of State for Transport.

(c)  That expenditure of £19,200,000 from within the existing Capital Programme to meet the Council’s share in the development costs to progress the scheme to the start of the construction phase be approved, subject to the Director of City Development and the Director of Resources receiving regular updates in relation to proposed expenditure throughout the development phase.

(d)  That approval be given for the Council to enter into a JVA with Metro for the development of NGT, and that the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of City Development in order to enable him to finalise the detail of the JVA in accordance with the Heads of Terms. In addition, and subject to the Council approving the submission of the TWAO, the necessary authority also be delegated to the Director of City Development in order to allow him to take all such steps as may be necessary or expedient to carry the Resolution into effect (including all those steps required for the Council to apply for and thereafter to promote the Order).