A report of the Managing Director was received by Cabinet.  The Mayor thanked officers for the detailed work undertaken.  There had been hugely positive progress made and other Hertfordshire authorities were interested in the programmes in Watford.

The Managing Director introduced the report and explained that there was a comprehensive programme before Cabinet with a host of initiatives taking place which integrated with the programme.  For example investment in the cycle hub, developing quiet ways to encourage cycling and working on electric vehicle charging facilities including on street charging for the first time.  Within the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) there was sufficient provision in capital and revenue budgets for the programme.  Through the budget setting process later in the year there would be detailed variances to match the procurement outcomes.  Contained within the report were details of the contract management arrangements and governance for the sustainable transport programme.  There would be a Sustainable Transport Partnership Board which would meet twice a year and be chaired by the Mayor.  The contract management of the programme would sit within Community Environmental Services and be managed alongside other key contracts e.g., Veolia. 

The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services commented that interviews were being held shortly for the contract manager post and that there should be someone in post by Christmas so that they were in place from the start of the contract.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1.    Notes the three main initiatives within the Mayor’s Sustainable Transport Programme.

2.    Notes that the costs of the initiatives can be met within the MTFS allocation for Sustainable Transport Schemes.

3.    Approves the contract management and governance arrangements as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

4.    Notes that separate reports are presented on the Cabinet agenda with the details of each procurement outcome.