Decisions

To move provisional capital sum of £1.378m to fully approved for the procurement of vehicles and plant to replace end of life units in 2021/22. This project will ensure that the specialist fleet vehicles and standard vehicles used by frontline services within the Council continue to be managed effectively and efficiently using vehicles and plant built to the latest standards and regulations regarding safety and emissions, operate with greater fuel efficiency and meet the changing requirements of the evolving services.
These replacement vehicles and plant are for key frontline services such as the collection of waste and recycling, cleansing, maintenance of parks and open spaces and other services such as Highways and Heritage. There are several specialist vehicles and plant along with some standard vans. The vehicles will all be fitted with the latest specification of engines leading to reduced emissions and better fuel efficiency. Stop/Start technology and electric vehicles will also be considered for the non-specialist vehicles reducing our carbon footprint. The replacement of the vehicles allows each team to step back and assess what are the best vehicles to achieve their required outcomes through changing service demands and not just replace on a 'like for like' basis.

The 2021/22 capital programme agreed at February 2021 cabinet has a provisional capital allocation of £1.378m for the Assets

To address and prevent progressive structural decay of the Grade 11 Listed Building in Orange Grove, Bath in a prominent site next to Bath Abbey. The parade of shops with accommodation above requires a programme of works to replace non-breathable paints adversely affecting the structure, and numbers 1-2 of the building, which is currently empty, requires structural work and total refurbishment.

To fully approve capital amounting to £900k from the provisional capital programme item Property Improvement – Orange Grove Structural Works.

To increase the capital budget for the development of the Roman Baths Archway Centre for additional costs identified during the course of the project due to Covid-19 related delays and resolution of funding for piling and other issues encountered during the demolition and structural phases of the main contract. We successfully applied for additional grant funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

To fully approve additional capital amounting to £411k for the Roman Baths Archway Centre. This recognises additional funding secured from National Heritage Lottery Funding (NHLF) (£360k), recognition of 3rd party contributions (£705k) and commitment of provisional capital programme for Heritage Infrastructure Development (£500k). In addition, NHLF support between revenue and capital activity has been clarified resulting in a switch of the reporting of existing grant awards. In summary, the total capital project is £5.7m funded by £3.5m NHLF grant, £1.5m B&NES capital funding and 3rd party contributions £0.7m.

To increase the capital budget for the development of the Riverside Suite for essential structural safety works necessary alongside the refurbishment of Riverside Apartments.

To fully approve additional capital amounting to £123k from the Corporate Capital Contingency.

To make an initial purchase of IT assets in 2020/21 of £355k as part of the Council’s response to enable the organisation to continue to provide essential services securely while working within restrictions resulting from Covid-19 followed by a further purchase in 2021/22 of £1.653m. The purchases will facilitate working from home, increase flexible/mobile working and increase productive virtual meetings and collaboration. This will reduce travel and parking expenses and help to streamline office buildings.

To fully approve capital amounting to £355k for 2020/21 funded from Covid-19 grant and £1.653m for 2021/22 funded by £600k Covid-19 Grant and £1.053m from the provisional capital programme item IT Asset Refresh.

To raise the energy efficiency rating of the homes of low income and low EPC rated households with the aim of improving homes towards EPC C and above. This should save households money while keeping warm; cut carbon emissions; and create green jobs.

To fully approve capital amounting to £716k for the Affordable Warmth Grant Scheme which will be funded by Green Homes Grant – Local Authority Delivery (£676k) and Affordable Warmth Grant (£40k).

Under section 14 of the Education Act 1996, Local Authorities have a statutory duty to ensure that there are sufficient schools for primary and secondary education in their areas and for securing that special educational provision is made for pupils who have special educational needs (SEND).
This project will support St Mark's School to expand a specialist Resource Base for children with SEND and specifically children with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD).
The project will improve capacity, reach and delivery of SEND education support services by increasing the number of commissioned places from 10 to 20 places at St Mark's Secondary School. It will support inclusion and co-ordination of SEND teaching and practice for secondary age children.
The project will enable the Council to deliver local placements and reduce the costs of out of county placements and travel.

To approve capital expenditure of £45,000 to enable St Mark’s School carry out a capital project which will increase the number of commissioned places for SEND MLD in Bath and North East Somerset.