Agenda item

Report DRR16/076

The Beckenham Town Centre Improvement scheme had undergone a number of design and budget reviews since its inception resulting in the scope and coverage of the scheme being extended. There had also been corresponding increases in costs, the impact of which had been considered in a report to the Executive on 2 December 2015. The Executive had approved an additional £240k from Capital Receipts to cover the Borough’s contribution to the overall increase in scheme costs. This sum was based on TfL providing additional funding to the scheme budget. The detailed design of the improvement scheme had now been completed by the Council’s term contractor FM Conway and the budget finalised. Executive approval was now sought to finalise the scheme design, costs and the Council’s match funding. The target for completion was Spring 2018.

Following a safety audit additional controlled pedestrian crossings had been added to the scheme, including a pelican crossing. The revenue costs of approximately £2k per annum had been offset against the removal of a pelican crossing in Bromley – a Member objected that the savings made in Bromley should have gone back to central funds.

A Member queried the amount of contingency included in the scheme costs, which appeared to be 23% of the total cost of the scheme. Officers confirmed that the contingency was 15%, but the higher figure included inflation increases to the term contract. Members concluded that this should have been presented more clearly.

The scheme included proposals to reflect the links between David Bowie and Beckenham, including a paving motif outside the former Three Tuns pub and a possible mural near Beckenham Junction. Members commented that it was important that the different projects relating to David Bowie were coordinated and that duplication was avoided and that no expenditure would be incurred until a decision had been concluded.

Councillor Michael Tickner attended the meeting as chairman of the Beckenham Town Centre Working Group, which brought together local ward councillors, residents and business owners to assist in developing the proposals. Councillor Tickner urged the Executive to approve the scheme, which had widespread local support and would assist the Council’s aim of supporting retail businesses. He also commented that lessons learnt in implementing the schemes in Orpington and Bromley North needed to be remembered in Beckenham. 

The proposals had been supported by the Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee at their meeting on 20^th September 2016. The Executive also noted a letter received from a local resident outlining detailed objections to the scheme.

RESOLVED that

(1) The scheme design for Beckenham Town Centre Public Realm improvements and the commencement of the implementation phase be approved.

(2) Total Council capital funding of £1.145m, of which £995k is from capital receipts and £150k from the earmarked reserve, be approved subject to full Council approval.

(3) The estimate for the Beckenham Town Centre Improvement scheme be reduced to £4.441m in the Council’s capital programme, subject to full Council approval. 

(4) It is noted that in the event that the £750k funding from TfL for 2017/18 is not approved, a further report will be brought back to Members setting out a revised budget and programme of works.

(5) FM Conway be commissioned, under the terms of the existing term contract, to carry out the build contract for this project.