Agenda item

Purpose of Report

To provide the Executive with a progress report on the strategic projects against their milestones for the final quarter of 2017/18.

Decision

That progress in delivery of strategic projects be noted.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

There were currently 16 strategic priorities being monitored, 14 of which were on track in terms of their physical and financial milestones and risk profiles. Two projects had been completed and were awaiting a Post Implementation Review to be submitted and signed off. There were no projects off track in terms of all three of the areas of monitoring and it had been concluded that there were no projects of sufficient concern to bring to the attention of the Executive.

The two projects awaiting a Post Implementation Review which had completed their defined actions were:

·         new surface car parks – purchase of two new surface car parks in the city;

·         Bereavement Services improvements to facilities – additional data was requested in respect of this project so the Post Implementation Review would be finalised when that data had been made available.

Three new projects had been reviewed and recommended to the Executive for approval, as follows:

·         noise reduction equipment – to purchase two complete noise kits for measuring and recording noise in complainant’s homes and for the investigation of noise complaints;

·         Broadgate lift refurbishment – full refurbishment to both lifts at Broadgate car park;

·         tree memorial at the Crematorium – to purchase a new memorial tree for the Crematorium grounds that would aim to offer an affordable memorial option for the friends and families of the deceased.

It was noted that a further six projects had been signed off as completed during the final quarter, noted as follows:

·         Broadgate car park improvements;

·         Birchwood bungalows;

·         City Hall phase 2 improvements;

·         implementation of Servitor (Repair Ordering and Billing System);

·         St Botolph’s Court refurbishment;

·         disaster recovery and back-up.

It was reported that the following projects had been decommissioned by the Strategic Plan Implementation Team:

·         heat mitigation at the Terrace;

·         Housing Services asbestos database.

This was due to the fact that both projects’ original objectives and outcomes had changed since the outset of the scheme and the decision had been taken to remove them from the list of projects being monitored. Amended project approval documentation would be compiled and submitted for approval if the projects were required in the future.

Updates on mega projects in relation to the Western Growth Corridor and the Transport HUB were set out in the report at paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2 respectively.

The report also included an update on the work of the Section 106 Group, which was responsible for the monitoring of the Council’s Section 106 Agreements and to ensure that monies received were used for the correct purpose, and spent by the critical expenditure date. Further details of Section 106 Agreement allocations were set out in the table at paragraph 6.1 of the report.

Updates on the following annual ongoing projects were also highlighted in the report, for information:

·         disabled facilities grant;

·         delivering decent homes in the private sector;

·         Housing Revenue Account business plan.