Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th October 2007, having been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board considered a report of the Mersey Gateway Project Director which outlined the progress made in the delivery of Mersey Gateway since the meeting of the Mersey Gateway Executive Board in October 2006.

The report gave an update on the delivery and resources and project structure and the liaison with the Department for Transport.

The Board was advised that the project plan had been adjusted to include an extensive public consultation exercise (Agenda item two).  The additional activity, combined with the increased costs associated with the greater workload required to deliver the traffic model, would require an increase in the budget profile for the current financial year.  The increase was being managed by recovering cost from later years and more details on this matter were outlined in Agenda item five.

RESOLVED: That the progress made towards delivering the Mersey Gateway be noted.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which sought approval to proceed with the proposed public consultation exercise for Mersey Gateway based on the draft Reference Design.

The Board was advised that subject to approval, consultation would commence immediately.  The consultation period would be three months and would involve the following:-

·        The notification of all directly affected landowners;

·        The provision of a scheme consultation leaflet (a draft attached at Appendix 1 to the report); and

·        A series of manned exhibitions at various locations during early to mid July 2007.

Arising from the discussions, the following comments were noted:-

·        The numerous benefits that Mersey Gateway would provide to the Borough such as new job and business opportunities, fewer traffic jams, safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians, reduced air pollution and a chance to build new homes, shops offices and leisure facilities;

·        The timescale and benefits of the public consultation process.  It was also noted that a newsletter would be circulated throughout the Borough in the near future outlining the consultation process; and

·        It was suggested that a programme outlining the project’s key milestones be circulated to all Members of the Board.

RESOLVED: That the Mersey Gateway Executive Board agree that the proposed public consultation exercise, based on the draft Reference Design for the Mersey Gateway scheme, commence as planned.

The Board considered a report of the Mersey Gateway Project Director which sought the authority to modify the project management arrangements by establishing an Officer Project Board (OPB) with specific delegated authority to oversee the delivery of the project to:

1)                       authorise the continuing liaison with the Mersey Crossing Group as a principle means for engaging with key local authority partners, government institutions and private sector interests; and

2)                       to note that the project team resources had been extended with the appointment of GVA Grimley, as planning consultants and with the re-appointment of DTW/Politics International as communications consultants.

Arising from the discussion, the following comments were noted:-

·                          the role and value of the Mersey Crossing Group was noted.  The importance of continued stakeholder engagement and support was also noted;

·                          that a report on the project be presented to the Council meeting on 18^th July 2007 for consideration; and

·                          that progress on the project could be circulated on in the Members Information Bulletin and the Leaders Briefing on a monthly basis.

RESOLVED: That

(1)                    the scheme of delegation for the Mersey Gateway Officer Project Board be approved;

(2)                    the partnering arrangements with the Mersey Gateway Officer Group be maintained throughout the project delivery be approved;

(3)                    the project team has been bolstered with the appointment of GVA Grimley as planning consultants for Mersey Gateway and as planning policy advisor on matters connected with Mersey Gateway, and with the re-appointment of DTW/Politics International as communication consultants be noted; and

(4)                    a report on the project be presented to the 18^th July 2007 meeting of the Council for consideration.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which provided a summary of the recent land-use planning and local transport policy statements by Government that may impact on the delivery of Mersey Gateway.

RESOLVED: That the developments with Government Policy and the potential impact on the delivery of Mersey Gateway be noted.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which sought agreement to the revised expenditure profile and the adjusted programme for Mersey Gateway.  The changes were necessary to accommodate the decision to undertake public consultation and the outcome of discussions with the Department of Transport (DfT) confirming that the method of procurement is likely to be based on a conventional Private Finance Initiative Procedure.

The Board was advised that the project’s budget forecast had been indicated at £14m out of a range of £12m - £17m.  The Board was further advised that it was anticipated that the project would not go over the budget range and if this was a possibility, proposals to resolve this issue would be presented to the Board.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)                    the revised project expenditure profile for development cost be approved;

(2)                    the adjusted programme of key milestone events be approved; and

(3)                    the work required to develop spatial policy in the Mersey Gateway corridor is not covered in the current Environment Department budget, and the spending priorities within the department were under review be noted.

RESOLVED: That as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business in accordance with Sub-Section 4 of section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 because it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be considered, exempt information will be disclosed, being information defined in Section 100(1) and paragraph 3 and Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Environment which sought authority to commence an investigation into how to secure the resources required to finance the acquisition of land by negotiation, where land interests could be purchased in advance of the Mersey Gateway Compulsory Order (CPC) procedure.

RESOLVED: That

(1)                    the proposed investigation be undertaken into financial risk and best value options for acquiring land in advance of the compulsory purchase procedure; and

(2)                    the results emerging from this investigation be reported to the Council’ Executive Sub Committee for consideration, including the granting of authority to implement any advanced land acquisition recommendations.

MINUTES ISSUED: 20^th June 2007

CALL IN: 27^th June 2007

Any matter decided by the Mersey Gateway Executive Board may be called in no later that 27^th June 2007