Agenda item

To receive the Action Sheet arising from the Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 15^th September, 2021.

The Action Sheet arising from the meeting of the Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 15^the September, 2021 was submitted, whereupon:

Capital Budget Monitoring Forecast – Appendix 1

328340 - Detail to be provided in relation to the Metro Plus funding and the Abertillery Spur and acquisition of land

A Member said he could not recall the acquisition of land being reported to full Council for decision, as stated in the minutes of the Cardiff Capital City Region meeting held in September 2020.  He also asked why the Council had borrowed £70m for the railway improvements when it was stated in the minutes of the Cardiff City Region meeting in February 2021 that £50m was needed.

The Corporate Director Regeneration & Community Services explained that these were separate issues.  The Cardiff City Region looked at how it could fund a series of actions on the core Valley line network, and funding was secured from the Metroplus programme to develop the Abertillery spur.

The Council also submitted a bid to UK Government’s ‘Restoring your Railway’ programme, to include the Abertillery spur.  In the interim the Council secured £75m from WG to undertake improvements to the railway corridor.  He confirmed that Cardiff City Region was aware of the Council’s bid to UK Government.

He said the Council made a decision to work with Welsh Government to develop the railway infrastructure necessary to increase the frequency of trains to 4 trains an hour, as part of the Council’s long standing policy for the railway corridor.

In response to a further question raised by a Member regarding the land acquisition, the Corporate Director explained that the railway infrastructure was generally owned by Network Rail.  Acquisition of the land would enable the Council to facilitate the scheme, however, when completed Network Rail would operate the railway in line with their policy across the Country.  He pointed out that this was the approach taken for the extension of the line from Ebbw Vale Parkway to the Ebbw Vale Town.

A discussion ensued when the Corporate Director said the £70m included enhancement of the signalling system; upgrading of various bridges and structures along the route; and track enhancements from Crosskeys to the south of Blaenau Gwent.

A Member suggested that the Quadripartite Agreement be recirculated to Members.  The Corporate Director confirmed that the Agreement formed part of the papers submitted to Council in July, however, he agreed to recirculate the information.

A Member asked whether any plans were in place should the funding from UK Government for the Abertillery spur not come through.

The Corporate Director confirmed that in the event of the bid not being successful, the Council would continue to work with Welsh Government on the overall objective of increasing the frequency of trains to Blaenau Gwent.

Regeneration and Development Performance - A Member requested that the Welsh Audit of Commemoration be reported to the appropriate committee for discussion

The Corporate Director confirmed that a report would be submitted to Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee in due course.

Actions Referred from the Joint Budget Scrutiny Committee – 27th September 2021 Update on the Tredegar Company Shop to be provided

The Service Manager Development Services explained that as the building was listed and in Council ownership, the application would be decided by CADW and Welsh Ministers.  As soon as consultations were completed the application would be forwarded to CADW for decision.

The Committee AGREED, subject to the foregoing, that the Action Sheet be noted.