Purpose

Added 5 June 2025

Decision

1.   
APPROVED the reinstatement of the flood
damaged Melton Country Park Bridge.

 

2.   
NOTED that while the damage sustained
during the flooding in 2025 is covered by insurance, a more substantial repair
and reinstatement of the whole structure is required to maximise the lifespan
of the bridge and reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events in the future.

 

3.   
NOTED that replacing the whole bridge
will require the Council to supplement the insurance contribution allocated to
the repair and reinstatement of the damaged section.

 

4.   
RECOMMENDED to Council that reinstatement
of the bridge be added to the Capital Programme with a budget of £200,000, to
be met by funding from the Council’s insurance contribution and allocations
from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Rural England Prosperity Fund, relevant
S106 contributions and capital receipts, as set out at Section 8 of the report.

 

5.   
NOTED that the proposed budget includes
an element of contingency as the Council is continuing to work with its
insurers to finalise cost projections and required works to secure cost
certainty. Accordingly, to delegate authority to the Director for Housing and
Communities, in consultation with the Director for Corporate Services, to vary
the capital budget requested should the final cost projections be confirmed
before the Council meeting.

 

6.   
NOTED that to protect the Council’s legal
position, the Director for Housing and Communities, in consultation with the
Assistant Director for Governance & Democracy, will determine the most
appropriate and effective arrangements to enable the works to be undertaken in
partnership with the Council’s insurance company.