Decision details

Getting Building Fund - Leeds Liverpool Canal

Decision Maker: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

This scheme will support completion of the remaining 2km of canal towpath on the Leeds Liverpool Canal that will provide a continuous walking and cycling route from Leeds City Centre towards the Yorkshire Dales providing an all-weather route that will help boost tourism and leisure throughout the year providing support to the local economy all year round, as well as providing a sustainable, low-cost, travel link to access local employment and skills opportunities. This will not only boost the local area but also beyond to areas like the World Heritage Site at Saltaire and out to the Yorkshire Dales through West Yorkshires towns and villages.

Decision:

Resolved:  That the Combined Authority approves:

(i)        That the Getting Building Fund programme proceeds through decision point 2 (strategic business case).

(ii)      That each project commences work on activity 4 (full business case) or where relevant a change request is brought forward where the project is an extension to an existing Combined Authority project / programme.

(iii)     That an indicative approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of up to £52.60 million to be funded through the Getting Building Fund is given, with full approval to spend being granted once each of the projects has progressed through the assurance process to decision point 5 (full business case with finalised costs).

(iv)     That programme development costs of up to £1 million (2%) and project development costs of £2.63 million (5%) are approved in order to progress the projects to decision point 4 (full business case) and  allocation of these development costs to the individual projects is delegated to the Director of Delivery.

(v)      That the Combined Authority enter into funding agreements with Bradford Council, Calderdale Council, Kirklees Council, Leeds Council and Wakefield Council and other partners, including Canal and River Trust, as necessary for expenditure of up to £2.63 million collectively from the Getting Building Fund (the allocation per project / partner council to be delegated to the Director of Delivery).

(vi)     That the assurance tolerances:

·            Any programme cost increase remains within 2% as set out in the submitted report and reallocation of funding between the projects is delegated to the Combined Authority’s Managing Director.

·            Delivery timescales remain within those set out in the submitted report.

(vii)    That future approvals are made by the Investment Committee at decision point 4 and through a delegation to the Combined Authority’s Managing Director at decision point 5 following a recommendation by the Combined Authority’s Programme Appraisal Team. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

Report author: Kate Thompson

Publication date: 07/09/2020

Date of decision: 04/09/2020

Decided at meeting: 04/09/2020 - West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Effective from: 15/09/2020