Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 11, 2025

Purpose: This report summarises proposed amendments to the Capital Programme considered by the Capital Strategy Group on 19 December 2024.

Content: RESOLVED that:-   (a)      Cramlington Youth Zone Cabinet approve the spend of £0.498 million (£0.144 million in 2024-25 and £0.354 million in 2025-26) to build a purpose-built youth facility in Cramlington. This spend will be funded from the existing Cramlington budget in the capital programme. Note that this project will be delivered by Cramlington Town Council via a grant funding agreement with the Council.      Cabinet approve the amendment to the capital programme to reallocate £0.498 million (£0.144 million in 2024-25 and £0.354 million in 2025-26) from the Cramlington project to the Cramlington Youth Zone project. (b)     Coronation Park Dementia Garden Cabinet approve the spend of £0.255 million (£0.046 million in 2024-25 and £0.209 million in 2025-26) to deliver the Coronation Park Dementia Garden. This spend will be funded from the existing Cramlington budget in the capital programme. Note that this project will be delivered by Cramlington Town Council via a grant funding agreement with the Council. Cabinet approve the amendment to the capital programme to reallocate £0.255 million (£0.046 million in 2024-25 and £0.209 million in 2025-26) from the Cramlington project to the Coronation Park Dementia Garden project. (c)      Northumberland Line Update Cabinet approve the following capital spend and amendments to the capital programme in line with cost increases and increased funding from the Department for Transport (DfT): Reallocate £4.500 million of Council funding from the Northumberland Line project to the Newsham Road Bridge project in 2024-25. Add an additional £67.801 million (£63.040 million in 2024-25 and £4.761 million in 2025-26) of external funding to the Northumberland Line project. This funding is from the Department for Transport to support the delivery of the Northumberland Line Programme. Reallocate £4.982 million of Council funding from the Capital Contract Inflation budget to the Northumberland Line project in 2024-25. Add an additional £3.120 million to the Newsham Road Bridge project in 2024-25. This spend will be funded from the Strategic Management Reserve.   (d)     Whitton View, Rothbury Cabinet approve the spend of £0.272 million (£0.027 million in 2024-25 and £0.245 million in 2025-26) for the purchase of two 3-bed houses on the Cussins development site – Land East of Whitton View, Rothbury. The spend will be funded by £0.136 million HRA capital receipts and £0.136 million retained treasury receipts. Cabinet approve the amendment to the capital programme to add the Whitton View, Rothbury project of £0.272 million (£0.027 million in 2024-25 and £0.245 million in 2025-26). (e)      Richard Stannard House Conversion Cabinet approve the spend of £3.374 million (£0.371 million in 2024-25 and £3.003 million in 2025-26) to convert Richard Stannard House, a three-storey commercial building of 1164m2 on Bridge Street in Blyth, into 16 apartments. This spend will be funded from the existing Levelling Up Deep Dive Housing Renewal and Town Centre Living project in the capital programme. Note this project will be delivered by Advance Commercial Limited via a grant funding agreement with the Council. Cabinet approve the amendment to the capital programme to reallocate £3.374 million (£0.371 million in 2024-25 and £3.003 million in 2025-26) from the Levelling Up Deep Dive Housing Renewal and Town Centre Living project to the Richard Stannard House Conversion.      Cabinet approve the spend of £0.371 million in advance of the business case approval in order to develop the project.      Cabinet approve the award of a grant to Advance Commercial Limited of £3.374 million (£0.371 million in 2024-25 and £3.003 million in 2025-26) and grant delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration to enter into the grant funding agreement totalling £3.374 million.