Decision details

The committee considered a confidential appendix report that had been submitted to the WMCA Board on 16 December 2022 on the scheme specific details concerning the Transport for West Midlands capital pressures which were considered commercially sensitive.

The report summarised the projects which were exposed to the issues highlighted in minute no. 61 above, together with indicative estimates of additional budget requirements post mitigation. Three schemes required an immediate uplift in budget, which the report sought to address. The remaining schemes were shown as early warnings, but all were highly likely to mature into a cost pressure to some degree over the short to medium term.

Councillor Robert Alden highlighted the delays to the University station project and sought assurances that there would be no further budget allocation required. The Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands indicated that work was currently being undertaken to rebaseline the project and fully understand the remaining costs. Once this work was completed, expected within the next few weeks, greater certainty on overall project costs would be known.

Councillor Pervez Akhtar sought assurances that Transport for West Midlands was undertaking proper planning for these projects. The Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands explained that all projects had a risk register that included mitigation measures, but the nature of construction was often that some costs would only become apparent during the course of carrying out the works.

Resolved:

The report be noted.