Decision

That Buckinghamshire Council has agreed to be a signatory to the Funding Agreement and contribution as agreed to the costs incurred.

There are confidential appendices to this report, which are exempt by virtue of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12a of Part 1 of Schedule 12a of the Local Government Act 1972 because they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Reasons for the decision

1.1 The Council has undertaken repairs to the C3 and other roads in Buckinghamshire which are on HS2 construction routes where HGVs accessing the various compounds have contributed to the damage incurred. As a result, the Council has submitted a claim to HS2 Ltd under a process agreed with the Council under paragraph 15 of Schedule 33 of the HS2 Act.

1.2 HS2 Ltd has responded to the claim and, following a period of negotiation, has offered a contribution towards the costs of the C3 and other roads which has been accepted by the Council. HS2 Ltd has prepared a Funding Agreement to cover the contribution. The agreed sums have been fully tested, ensuring that the necessary and costed repairs can be undertaken as planned and this represents a positive outcome for the Council. Legal advice confirms that as the Funding Agreement is not a Deed, the Corporate Director for Communities can be the signatory to the document.

Alternative options considered

There is no other option available as the Funding Agreement enables the Council to recover a contribution towards the costs associated with damage under the HS2 Act.