URL: https://committees.oldham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5547

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet received a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive that requested Members to formally accept capital grant funding of £7.3m from CRSTS1 towards the delivery of two Oldham projects: ·         Oldham Edge and Higginshaw Active Travel Link ·         Oldham Town Centre Sustainable Connectivity Links   The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) had agreed to reprioritise £190 million of CRSTS1 capital funding to address underspend and delivery challenges.  This strategic adjustment supports the Bee Network, active travel and integrated transport goals across the region.   As part of this process, 35 local authority-led schemes have been identified across GMCA, totalling £89.5 million in reprioritised funding.  For Oldham, funding has been awarded for the development of Outline and Full Business Cases (OBC/FBC) for: ·         Oldham Edge and Higginshaw Active Travel Link ·         Oldham Town Centre Sustainable Connectivity Link   These schemes were aligned with Oldham’s strategic transport objectives and growth and supported wider GMCA ambitions for sustainable mobility and inclusive growth.   The allocation of funding was intended to enable detailed design work and the commissioning of professional services to meet funding conditions and ensure readiness for future delivery stages.  Cabinet approval is sought to integrate this additional resource into the transport capital programme and proceed with procurement and scheme development.   Furthermore, they complemented Oldham’s current CRSTS1 schemes, that have already received funding: ·         St Mary’s Way ·         Mumps ·         Broadway to Rochdale Canal Link ·         Park Road / Kings Road   Options/Alternatives considered: Option 1 - That the grant offer from the CRSTS1 for the two schemes referred to, in the submitted report, be accepted, that a Grant Funding Agreement be entered into with TfGM for this funding and scheme development and that the additional funding is incorporated into the Transport Capital Programme for 2025/26 onwards and utilised to support council teams and procure external support to deliver the two schemes. Option 2 – That the grant offer from the CRSTS1 for the two schemes referred to, in the submitted report, be not accepted. If the funding were not accepted and utlised in accordance with the subsequent Grant Funding Agreement and timescales of CRSTS1, the two schemes would not be able to be delivered.  Acceptance of the funding now was crucial to allow progress with the design development and business case preparation. Option 1 was the preferred Option.   Resolved: 1.    That the grant offer from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), for delivery of an outline/full business case (OBC/FBC) for the schemes at Oldham Edge and Higginshaw Active Travel Link and Oldham Town Centre Sustainable Connectivity Link, be accepted. 2.    That approval is granted to enter into a Funding Delivery Agreement with TfGM in relation to the proposed schemes. 3.    That the intention to bring the additional resource into the transport capital programme in 2025/26 and complete development of the scheme in the appropriate timescales be noted. 4.    That approval is granted to procure and make tender awards relating to the necessary external support required to develop the outline/full business case (OBC/FBC) and design development, and that this is delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place). 5.    That approval is granted to use part of this resource to support Council teams, as required, to progress design options, stakeholder engagement and production of the full business case to secure further capital funding for Oldham. 6.    That approval to the Director of Legal Services or his nominated representatives be granted to execute and complete any contractual documents. 

Date of Decision: September 22, 2025