As planning for next year’s council budget continues, Bridgend Council’s Cabinet is set to be updated on the capital programme (pdf).
Capital spending generally means spending on new things, while revenue spending covers the day-to-day costs of running services. The council’s capital budget for the next ten years (until 2030-31) is expected to be around £213million.
The report outlines a list of emerging problems. These include inflation and costs associated with Brexit which has increased prices by as much as 25%, supply chain shortages, staffing shortages (and associated higher wages) and increased pressure to meet net-zero requirements.
One example is given of a tender to provide 2 pedestrian crossings. The tender was offered to six companies and was expected to cost £88,000 each. In the end, only one company tendered and the final price was two and a half times the original estimate (~£220,000 each) which resulted in the scheme being abandoned.
Another example is given of a tender for new playground equipment worth £400,000 that didn’t attract any interest.
In terms of projects in the works, some of the main highlights include:
- Cardiff Capital Region Metro Plus – Just over £3million has been allocated by the council, including £2million for the new Porthcawl bus station (originally expected to cost just £400,000) and the bulk of the remainder going towards feasibility works for the Penprysg Road Bridge/Pencoed level crossing project. A Pyle Park & Ride project has been bumped.
- Ewenny Road, Maesteg – A £3.5million project, funded via the City Region, for a housing-led regeneration project and new park and ride facility.
- Porthcawl Regeneration – BCBC received £957,000 more than expected for the sale of the land to Aldi. This money will be used for infrastructure improvements in and around Salt Lake, including improving crossing points and links to the town centre.
- Arbed repairs – As reported recently, BCBC has allocated £855,000 from reserves towards a total £3.5million budget to repair work to properties in Caerau damaged in the insulation scandal.
- Heronsbridge School – Due to capacity issues, Bridgend College has agreed to turn over surplus space for use by Heronsbridge School. BCBC will be contributing £180,000 towards accessibility works. Longer-term, the council hopes to build a replacement special school at Island Farm, possibly by September 2025.
