Purpose

This report summarises proposed amendments to the capital programme
considered by the Capital Strategy Group on 28 July 2026.

Decision

RESOLVED that:-

Solar PV Estate, Building Safety and Compliance Programme

a)       Cabinet approve the capital expenditure of up to £3.500 million (£1.500 million in 2026-27, £1.000 million in 2027-28 and £1.000 million in 2028-29) on the inclusion and implementation of the Solar photovoltaic (PV) Estate Building Safety and Compliance Programme and the Fire Risk Assessment Remedial Actions Programme across the Council’s commercial and domestic estates. The expenditure will be funded from the existing Property Stewardship Fund in the capital programme;

b)       Cabinet approve the revenue expenditure of up to £1.477 million (£0.505 million in 2026-27, £0.559 million in 2027-28 and £0.413 million in 2028-29) on compliance staffing, contractor management and ongoing inspection and maintenance activities. The expenditure will be funded from the Estates Rationalisation Reserve;

c)       Cabinet approve the procurement and appointment of suitably qualified Solar PV contractor(s) to undertake the necessary capital works;

d)       Cabinet grant delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration, in consultation with Executive Director of Transformation and Resources, to award the necessary delivery contracts as required following procurement, subject to confirmation from the Corporate Commissioning and Procurement Service and Legal Services, that successful bidder(s) meet the tendered specification requirements; and,

e)       Cabinet note that the initial survey work, staff costs and routine maintenance work will be funded from the Estates Rationalisation Reserve.

Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre Plant Improvements

a)       Cabinet approve the grant funding of up to £1.191 million (£1.092 million in 2026-27 and £0.099 in 2027-28) to Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre for a comprehensive programme of swimming and plant room improvements at Haltwhistle Leisure Centre. The expenditure will be funded from the existing Borderlands Place Programme in the capital programme;

b)       Cabinet grant delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration in consultation with the Council’s Legal and Finance Teams to approve the issuing of the Grant Funding Agreement to Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre, on appraisal and approval of their grant application form; and,

c)       Cabinet note that match funding options will be explored with the project sponsor, and that any funding secured for this project will reduce the capital grant request from the Council and the reduction returned to the budget allocation of the Borderlands Place Programme in the capital programme.

Hexham Tyne Mills Vehicle Depot – Multi-Disciplinary Team Appointment

a)       Cabinet approve the expenditure of up to £0.450 million (£0.200 million in 2026-27, £0.145 million in 2027-28 and £0.105 million in 2028-29) to undertake design and delivery activities for a new-build vehicle workshop on the former fire station site at Hexham Tyne Mills. This expenditure will be funded from the existing Tyne Mills Depot budget in the capital programme; and,

b)       Cabinet grant delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place?and?Regeneration to enter into a contract for the appointment of a multi-disciplinary team to undertake design and delivery activities for a new-build vehicle?workshop?on the former fire station site at?Hexham Tyne Mills, subject to confirmation of the associated funding being in place, and, compliant procurement processes having been followed.