Decision
Analysis
outcome: Recommendations Approved
summary: Reallocation of uncommitted funding within the Town Investment Plan Community Skills project to deliver improvements to community centres
topline: The Committee has decided to reallocate uncommitted funding to deliver improvements to community centres within the Town Investment Plan
reason_contentious: This issue is not particularly contentious as it involves reallocating funds within the original objectives of the project
affected_stakeholders: ["Community centres", "Town Deal Board"]
contentiousness_score: 2
political_party_relevance: No mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision
URL: https://committee.worcester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=263
Decision Maker:
Outcome: Recommendations Approved
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: No
Purpose:
Content: The Committee considered an update on the delivery of projects within the Town Investment Plan and proposals for allocation of the investment underspend. The Deputy Director – Policy and Strategy presented the report and gave a summary of progress on each project. With the exception of Shrub Hill, all other Towns Fund projects are now complete or will have completed during the current financial year. At the time the specification of construction works for Building Block 2 was being developed, construction cost inflation was extremely high. Following value engineering and procurement, costs had been lower than anticipated and it had not been necessary to spend the contingency. There was therefore a sum of approximately £200k available for spend elsewhere. It was considered that a further capital investment in the assets supported through the Community Skills Project would make a significant additional impact. Reallocation to this particular project was entirely consistent with the original objectives and outcomes and would not require any Government approval. The proposal was to reallocate the uncommitted spend as follows: · £30k towards St Peters. · £25k PV on BB2 (this was in original business case but was removed during procurement when construction price inflation was extreme). · £130k towards solar PV and energy efficiency at Horizon, Ronkswood, Green Centre and KGV. · £15k minor internal improvements at Warndon and Tolly WCT community centres to improve privacy for consultations. The preferred option had been shared with the Town Deal Board at a meeting on 26 June 2025 and was supported. Committee Members proceeded to discuss the proposals and unanimous support was expressed for reallocation of the uncommitted spend as set out above. RESOLVED: That the Committee agree to: 1. note progress on delivering the projects within the Town Investment Plan; 2. approve the allocation of £200k uncommitted funding within the Town Investment Plan Community Skills project to deliver improvements to community centres in line with the original objectives for this project; and 3. delegate authority to the Deputy Director, Policy and Strategy and the Corporate Director, Finance and Resources to agree the detailed specification and procure the agreed works.
Date of Decision: July 15, 2025