Minutes:
The Council had before it an update on the County Council's Covid Response and Recovery.
The Leader introduced the report and moved the recommendation as set out in paragraph 1 of the report; this was seconded by Mr A I Hardman. The Leader commented that it was proposed to increase the existing funding allocation for rail stations and economic activity around them from £5m to £20m. Cabinet would be responsible for determining how that funding would be subsequently deployed. This proposal would enhance the Council’s ability to take advantage of opportunities to grow the economy as the county emerged from the Covid 19 pandemic.
In the ensuing debate, the following points were made:
· Was funding being sought for the flood prevention scheme on the Wribbenhall side of the River Severn at Bewdley? The Leader responded that funding for flood defence schemes, and in particular Bewdley, would be sought from the Getting Building Fund, in association with the LEP
· It was requested that this funding pot be used to address the parking issues at Malvern Link Rail Station, given that there were plans to build flats on part of the private land currently used for parking. In addition, it was queried who had taken over responsibility for this area of work within the Council. The Leader responded that the aim of the additional funding at this stage was to ensure that there were sufficient resources to support the rail network. It was too early to comment on individual projects. He confirmed that the officer responsible for this area of work had now left the organisation but both Internal and external officer support would be available to support this work
· The Leader undertook to provide details of the number of businesses that were closed in the current lockdown. He added that although this lockdown was different to the original lockdown, there would still be significant impact on local businesses. The Council would do everything it could to provide support to businesses in liaison with the LEP and local MPs
· Would some of the temporary changes introduced in response to the Covid 19 pandemic become permanent? The Leader commented that there were some pre-existing economic changes that had been accelerated by the pandemic particularly in relation to retail, work/life balance, and the environment. This was reflected in the proposal to invest in the rail network to recognise different working patterns. It was important that Worcestershire benefitted from the positive changes whilst mitigating any negative impacts
· It was important that bus travel was integrated into any proposals to improve the rail network. The Leader responded that the public should be able to access rail facilities through a number of different modes of transport including buses but that was a revenue rather than capital issue
· Was this funding available for any other form of economic development? The Leader indicated that there were other sources of funding available in the capital programme totalling around £200m for the next generation of economic game-changers as well as other capital schemes.
RESOLVED that the financial summary be noted and a £15m addition be agreed to the updated Capital Programme at Appendix 2 to the report.