Agenda Item No 10
Community & Environment Board
23 January 2006
Report of the
Assistant Director (Streetscape)
Proposed Capital Schemes for the
Capital Programme 2006/2009
1
Summary
1.1
Members will be asked to put forward the proposed schemes outlined in this report
for inclusion in the Capital Programme for 2006/2009.
2
Recommendation to the Board
That the Executive Board be asked to consider the schemes set
out in this report when preparing the Capital Programme for
2006/2009.
3
Introduction
3.1
This report sets out details of those schemes proposed for inclusion in the 3 year
Capital Programme for 2006/2009 and provisionally (in the case of the Litter Bin
Replacement Programme and Street Nameplates) up to 2009/2010.
3.2
Members are asked to look at the various proposals and to request that the
Executive Board takes each scheme into consideration when preparing the Capital
Programme for 2006/2009.
4
Scheme – Litter Bin Replacement Programme
4.1
Project Outcome
4.1.1
The project is to provide new and replace existing litter bins to meet the Council’s
current policy. The outcome is to achieve the objective of installing an approved type
of litter bin throughout the borough which meets current demands on capacity,
durability and resistance to vandalism.
4.1.2
This outcome is required to improve the streetscene and to help the Council to meet
local and national performance indicator targets on cleanliness levels.
4.2
Alternative Options Considered
4.2.1
An alternative to replacing litter bins would be to refurbish the existing litter bin stock
through revenue budgets. However, the amount of work required to bring the
current stock up to standard is not covered by existing budgets and would not be
cost-effective. The required increases in capacity and durability could also not be
achieved by refurbishment alone.
4.2.2
A capital scheme of replacement will enable the Council to bring its litter bin stock in
line with the Council’s litter bin policy, increase bin capacity and extend the working
life of the Council’s litter bins.
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4.3
Benefits of the Scheme
4.3.1
New litter bins will have greater capacity, durability and be more resistant to
vandalism. The new bins will be an improvement aesthetically and help enhance the
overall look of the streetscene.
4.3.2
Continuing to replace the Council’s existing stock of litter bins should also have
financial benefits as the ongoing cost of repairing and refurbishing the litter bin stock
should be reduced as more and more older, dilapidated bins are replaced with
stronger and more durable units.
4.4
Score against Priorities
4.4.1
This scheme scores against the Council’s Priority to “improve the public realm
through the provision and/or replacement of litter bins and the provision of street
name plates.”
4.5
Capital and Revenue Costs
4.5.1
The capital costs for the scheme over the next four years are set out at Appendix A.
There are no direct revenue costs associated with this scheme.
5
Scheme – Street Nameplates
5.1
Project Outcome
5.1.1
The project is to provide new and replace existing, damaged street nameplates to
meet the Council’s current policy. The outcome of the project is to achieve the
objective of installing an approved type of nameplate which promotes corporate
identity, encourages access to the Council’s website and provides greater reflectivity
during the hours of darkness. The specification of the new design of nameplate has
proven to be more robust and durable against vandalism.
5.1.2
This outcome is required to improve the streetscene and provide greater clarity on
street naming, particularly in rural areas where the provision of street nameplates
can help the emergency services to respond more quickly when called out to isolated
and remote locations across the borough. The Council also has a statutory duty to
provide street nameplates under section 19 of the Public Health Act, 1925.
5.2
Alternative Options Considered
5.2.1
Given the number of streets and roads in the borough with damaged nameplates or
even none at all, a capital replacement programme is the only viable option.
5.3
Benefits of the Scheme
5.3.1
Although there are no direct financial benefits as a result of this scheme, there are
numerous other benefits which the scheme will deliver. New street nameplates will
enhance the streetscene as well as raising the profile of the borough. The
comprehensive provision of new street nameplates, particularly in rural locations, will
help to reduce travelling time for motorists. More important, however, are the
benefits to those reporting accidents and emergencies as well as to the emergency
services responding to such incidents in remote and isolated rural areas.
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5.4
Score against Priorities
5.4.1
This scheme scores against the Council’s Priority to “improve the public realm
through the provision and/or replacement of litter bins and the provision of street
name plates.”
5.5
Capital and Revenue Costs
5.5.1
The capital costs for the scheme over the next four years are set out at Appendix A.
There are no direct revenue costs associated with this scheme.
6
Scheme – Appointment of Temporary Engineer
6.1
Project Outcome
6.1.1
The project is to appoint an engineer on a temporary basis to carry out a structural
survey of all fifteen Council owned car parks and its fourteen unadopted streets.
The structural survey will enable the Council to ascertain the condition of the surface,
signage, surface markings, drainage and lighting of those assets. The engineer
would also produce a list of proposed remedial and/or improvement works supported
by design specifications and any necessary tender documentation along with an
appropriate programme of works.
6.1.2
These outcomes are required in order to assess the structural condition and current
efficiency levels of the various assets, thus enabling the Council to prioritise work in
those locations requiring urgent attention to avoid further deterioration and reduce
the risk of third-party claims.
6.2
Alternative Options Considered
6.2.1
Given the lack of available resources and expertise within the Streetscape Division,
the one-off engagement of a specialist engineer is the only viable option to achieve
these outcomes.
6.3
Benefits of the Scheme
6.3.1
Capital investment on a thorough and detailed survey of the identified assets will
allow existing resources to be targeted and should reduce the burden on future
maintenance budgets. A reduction in the number of third-party claims may also lead
to a reduction in insurance premiums.
6.3.2
In addition to the financial benefits, the scheme would also serve to enhance the
streetscene, improve levels of customer satisfaction, assist in car parking
enforcement and reduce the risk of third-party claims.
6.4
Score Against Priorities
6.4.1
This scheme scores against the Council’s Priority to “maintain other land assets so
that they are fit for purpose.”
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6.5
Capital and Revenue Costs
6.5.1
The capital cost of the scheme is estimated at £28,000 for a 12 month period in
2006/07. Any revenue costs resulting from the findings of the structural survey will
be met from existing maintenance budgets.
7
Report Implications
7.1
Financial Implications
7.1.1
A summary of the proposals is shown at Appendix A with the capital costs and
revenue implications.
The scheme identified in this report will only proceed if there are sufficient capital
resources. Early indications are that there will be a significant shortfall in the funding
available to carry out all of the general fund capital bids being submitted up to the
value of £3m. The overall financial impact of this scheme will depend therefore on
whether it is approved in the final balanced capital programme.
7.2
Crime and Disorder Implications
7.2.1
The durability of the litter bins and street nameplates listed in the first two schemes
should help discourage vandalism and associated anti-social activities.
7.3
Legal and Human Rights Implications
7.3.1
Improvements to the infrastructure of those assets surveyed by the temporary
engineer should reduce the number of third-party claims against the Council.
7.4
Sustainability Implications
7.4.1
Any work to refurbish or replace existing assets will be designed and procured with
sustainability in mind.
7.5
Personnel Implications
7.5.1
None
7.6
Portfolio Holder, Shadow Portfolio Holder and Ward Members Consultation
7.6.1
The Portfolio Holder and Shadow Portfolio Holder for Service Delivery and CPA,
Councillors Swan and Moore respectively, have been consulted.
7.7
Risk Management Implications
7.7.1
Failure to invest capital in the work programmes outlined in this report may lead to
greater pressures on future revenue budgets due to ongoing deterioration of the
assets.
The Contact Officer for this report is Richard Dobbs (719440).
Background Papers
Local Government Act 1972 Section 100D, as substituted by the Local Government Act, 2000 Section 97
Background Paper No
Author
Nature of Background Paper
Date
None.
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