Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport seeking approval to bid for funding to deliver major transport schemes within Southampton.  The report will list the scheme to be submitted for appraisal by Transport for South Hampshire (or future transport body) for potential delivery during the 2015/2019.

The report will also detail the implications of the Governments proposals to devolve major schemes transport funding and the creation of a new Local Transport Body.  It will then outline a bidding strategy for accessing major schemes funding and seek authority to bid.

(i)  To agree to the inclusion of the Isle of Wight into Transport for South Hampshire (TFSH) as a full member and delegate authority to the TFSH monitoring officer to make appropriate changes to the joint agreement; and

(ii)  To note the principles set out in paragraph 5 by which the City Council will bid for from the devolved major scheme funding. 

1.  The Isle of Wight Council have requested to join Transport for South Hampshire.  On the 25 September, the last Joint Committee of TFSH agreed that each member authority should recommend its Executive to approve the Isle of Wight’s inclusion.

2.  As a result of the proposed decentralisation of major scheme transport funding, the City Council is presented with an opportunity to secure significant funding towards transport infrastructure improvements.  In order to maximise these opportunities it is necessary for the City Council to make a good case and implement an effective bid strategy. 

1.  The option to reject the inclusion of the IoW has been considered and rejected on the basis that the inclusion of the IoW makes TfSH stronger and larger and therefore more likely to be able to access funding in the future.

2.  Options not to follow the strategy for bidding outlined in paragraph 5 have been considered and  include:

• Bidding for other less likely to be successful schemes, and
• Not bidding at all

Such options would probably result in us not being successful in maximising success in accessing devolved funding.  Neither would they be in compliance with the best interests of the city and its residents as identified in the Local Transport Plan, Community Strategy and other corporate policy strategies.  This is because they would not deliver the growth aspirations of the Local Development Framework or City Centre Masterplan.