The Assistant Director of Lower Thames Crossing and Place Delivery addressed members commenting that section 3 of the report highlighted the current position of the project. She continued by highlighting the issues which had arisen since the December meeting which included a number of COVID-19 cases before Christmas which forced an early closure before the Christmas break as staff were required to self-isolate, there was now additional safety processes in place in line with government guidance and was work was back up to 80% productivity. The Assistant Director of Lower Thames Crossing and Place Delivery continued commenting programming for the demolition of formal structures was being undertaken and the new footbridge was due to be reopened in the coming weeks.

Members heard the cost review was a work in progress as set out within the report, and in terms of programme completion the project was on plan for a completion date in March 2022, however the team were working to bring this forward to December 2021.

The Chair thanked the Assistant Director of Lower Thames Crossing and Place Delivery for her report and queried as to whether there would be a taxation on Thurrock residents to assist with the overspend on the project. It was explained that the cost of the project at present was still an estimate and therefore the final cost was a work in progress, with regular update reports being presented not only to this committee but the Standards and Audit Committee.

During discussions Councillor Kerin commented he was pleased to see the purchase costs had been reduced by £800,000 since the original budget, he further commented that the Councils costs had decreased by £128,000 and asked how this was the case. The Assistant Director of Lower Thames Crossing and Place Delivery explained in relation to land acquisitions, additional land acquisitions had recently been purchased for further utilities diversions to be completed.

He further queried as to the 711 compensation events which were issued and enquired as to what they were, who paid and who received costs. It was explained compensation events or matters were issues which had arisen or events which occurred after the scope of the contract had been agreed between parties.  Any compensation events on this project would either be paid by the Council to the relevant delivery partner and could be for a range of issues such as utility diversions that were now required or related to design work. The Assistant Director of Lower Thames Crossing and Place Delivery commented it was important to note not all compensation events were subject to payment sometimes there could be a negative value compensation event, meaning there was little or no compensation payable so a like for like cost.

Councillor Kerin asked for a recent update on the CE’s in terms of number and value.  The Assistant Director of Lower Thames Crossing and Place Delivery advised that the quantum and value was something that was regularly changing but could provide more recent figures.

Councillor Kerin then put forward an additional recommendation “Request that Cabinet to commission a LGA peer review into the A13 Widening Project” this was seconded by Councillor Gerrish who stated he felt it was a good suggestion for a major project where lessons needed to be learned, and by having an LGA Review would help to shine light on these lessons and offer support.

The Committee discussed the suggestion of an additional recommendation and enquired the cost of such a peer review. The Director of Place advised it was unknown if there would be a cost. The Assistant Director of Lower Thames Crossing and Place Delivery assured the Committee that lessons from this project had been learnt and as of September 2019 a different approach had been taken, and issues arising were from historic decisions at the start of the project.

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted as follows:

For: Councillors Kerin, Gerrish

Against: Councillors Anderson, Potter and Van Day

Abstained: Councillor Allen

The suggested recommendation was refused.

The Chair of the Committee sought clarification as to the cost of an LGA Peer Review and asked that the Director of Place circulate this to all Members.

RESOLVED:

That the Planning Transport Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes and comments on the report content.