Council plans £110m capital investment
Funding for schools, transport and broadband is ‘investing in the future’
A 3 year investment programme in South Gloucestershire worth over £100m has taken a step forward after a council meeting today (4th March 2013).
Councillors on the authority’s Policy and Resources Committee agreed a 3 year capital investment programme with a final decision being taken by all councillors at a Full Council meeting later this month.
Schemes making up the authority’s proposed 3 year £110m programme include:
- · constructing a major part of the £102m North Fringe to Hengrove rapid transit system and ensuring that a previously-under threat increase in road resurfacing investment goes ahead;
- · building a new £5.5m primary school at Cheswick Village (adjacent to UWE’s Frenchay campus), and carrying out remodelling/refurbishment works at Wick and Hambrook primary schools. A refurbishment of Filton Hill school will also go ahead after being under-threat and a new £1.1m scheme to improve Parkwall primary school is also set to be approved;
- · £3.9m to install home disability adaptations, £1.5m in new extra care housing schemes and investment in superfast broadband;
- · starting construction this year on a new £2m flagship community and youth centre in Cadbury Heath.
Cllr John Calway (Con, Longwell Green), Leader of the Conservative Group, said:
“This about investing in the future, promoting growth in our local economy and maintaining the area as a great place to live and work.
These investment priorities respond to the opportunities and challenges that face us - from caring for our older generation through to raising aspirations amongst our younger generation.”
He added:
“Conservative councillors pushed strongly for various changes to the original proposals for capital investment and we’re delighted that agreement has been reached to refurbish Filton Hill primary school as promised, increase road resurfacing investment and ensure that New Homes Bonus resources are devolved down to the authority’s area committees to fund local schemes.”
In addition to the council’s proposed capital programme investment, a £19.2m government-funded rebuilding of Winterbourne International Academy is continuing.
The final sign-off is expected to be given at a Full Council meeting being held on Wednesday 20th March.