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Decision details

Decision Maker: WMCA Board

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

(1)      The Full Business Case for new stations Package 1 (Darlaston and Willenhall stations) was authorised.

 

(2)      A total project budget of £55.84m based on the Estimate at Completion for the scheme at Full Business Case stage was agreed, subject to the WMCA securing the funding for the project.

 

(3)      The release of £6m from the WMCA Investment Programme was authorised, subject to Department for Transport approval of sufficient Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline funding being made available.

 

(4)      It was noted that the WMCA intended to be the accountable body for the entirety of the funding package.

 

(5)      It was noted that the costs included within the Full Business Case were the current best estimates prior to the completion of single option development (GRIP 4).

 

(6)      The BCR of 6.5, representing very high value for money for the scheme, was noted, and the continued very high value for money for the scheme even taking into account the Department for Transport’s COVID-19 long-term impact scenario, leading to a BCR of 4.7 in a reasonable worst case scenario, was noted.

 

(7)      The aim of securing funding in Quarter 1 2021 to enable the project to proceed as per stated timescales was noted.

 

(8)      The WMCA Monitoring Officer and WMCA Director of Finance were jointly authorised to award contracts to the successful tenderer for the design and build stage, subject to:

 

(i)       The project being within the £55.84m recommended budget;

 

(ii)       Adequate funding being secured to allow for the delivery of the new stations;

 

(iii)      All funding agreements being signed and sealed to the satisfaction of the WMCA Director of Director and the WMCA Monitoring Officer;

 

(iv)      The operating costs of the stations being fully quantified and affordable.

 

(9)      Delegations to the WMCA Monitoring Officer and WMCA Director of Finance to enter into the various funding agreements and contracts which would be reasonably required to enable delivery of the new stations, including (if necessary) the issuing of a Letter of Intent to ensure the project schedule was maintained whilst funding agreements were being finalised, subject to the risks of doing so being acceptable to the WMCA Section 151 Officer and the WMCA Monitoring Officer, were approved.

Publication date: 15/01/2021

Date of decision: 15/01/2021

Decided at meeting: 15/01/2021 - WMCA Board

Accompanying Documents: