This report ask the Executive to approve the A421 Memorandum of Understanding between Central Bedfordshire Council, Milton Keynes Council and South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership that sets out how the parties will work together (including funding contributions) to deliver the scheme and seeks permission to pursue Compulsory Purchase Order powers.

1.      To authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Members for Community Services and Regeneration, to negotiate the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC), Milton Keynes Council (MKC) and South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) that sets out how the parties will work together to deliver the A421 dualling scheme and once all parties are in agreement.

2.      That Council officers continue preparatory work for the acquisition of the land required for the scheme, including compulsory purchase if that proves necessary; if a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is required, this will be reported to full Council at a later date.

3.      To instruct officers as part of Medium Term Financial Plan process to identify options to reduce the Capital Programme by £3m such that the addition of this project does not increase the overall net capital spend of the Council.

RECOMMENDED to Council

that £3m be added to the Capital Programme for this scheme.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Community Services that set out the proposal for the dualling of the section of the A421 between the new Eagle Farm roundabout and M1/J13. 

The Memorandum of Understanding proposed that Central Bedfordshire Council and Milton Keynes Council met the costs above £23.5m up to a total of £29.5m or a contribution of £3m each based on a 50/50 split.  It was recommended that this funding be included in the Capital Programme.  Officers would be instructed as part of the Medium Term Financial Plan process to identify options to reduce the Capital Programme by £3m such that the addition of this project would not increase the overall net capital spend of the Council.

Reason for decision:  To enable the project to move forward to the next stage.

RESOLVED

1.      to authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Members for Community Services and Regeneration, to negotiate the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC), Milton Keynes Council (MKC) and South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) that sets out how the parties would work together to deliver the A421 dualling scheme and once all parties were in agreement;

2.      that Council officers continue preparatory work for the acquisition of the land required for the scheme, including compulsory purchase if that proves necessary; if a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) was required, this would be reported to full Council at a later date; and

3.      to instruct officers as part of Medium Term Financial Plan process to identify options to reduce the Capital Programme by £3m such that the addition of this project would not increase the overall net capital spend of the Council.

RECOMMENDED to Council

that £3m be added to the Capital Programme for this scheme.