Purpose

Cabinet is recommended
to:
 
·        
note progress with the project;
and
 

·        
approve the terms of the Council’s funding
agreement with Transport for London; and
 

·        
delegate authority to the Strategic Director for
Place, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Resources,
to finalise and enter
into the funding agreement with Transport for
London.
 

Content

Cabinet:

(1)           
noted progress with the project;

(2)           
approved the terms of the Council’s funding agreement with
Transport for London; and

(3)           
delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Place, in
consultation with the Strategic Director of Resources and Deputy
Leaders, to finalise and enter into the funding agreement with
Transport for London in line with the principles set out in the
report.
 

OPTIONS & ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

The Council has considered the alternatives to prioritising and
investing in Leyton Station in the decisions taken by Cabinet in
January 2019, Executive Decision in March 2020 and Cabinet update
report in March 2022, which include the Council playing a less
significant role or not investing at all in the project.

Following the challenges of the pandemic and resultant impact on
TfL’s finances, the Council has worked closely with TfL to
retain resource on the project and develop the funding strategy for
its delivery. This culminated in the successful Levelling Up Fund
outcome, which combined with the Council’s funding, can
ensure this longstanding commitment can be fulfilled with a
credible and timely delivery programme.

Since the update report in 2022, the Council has developed its
Local Plan and supporting documents including the Leyton Mills
Development Framework, reinforcing Leyton as the borough’s
largest growth area. The Infrastructure Delivery Plan highlights
the importance of continued public transport investment in this
part of the borough to realising this new growth.

Both the Council and Mayor of London have also reiterated
commitments to improving equality of access through delivering step
free accessibility, addressing issues of car dependency and poor
air quality and maximising use of public transport to contribute to
tackling the Climate Emergency.

TfL’s commitment to progressing the project reflects
recognition of the current capacity and access issues at the
station; continued passenger numbers using the station, despite the
pandemic; the value of the Council’s supportive partnership
and funding commitment; and the significance of the growth planned
in the vicinity of the station.

With this constructive partnership, significant funding and project
progress, the Council has been able to review and update the terms
of its funding agreement with the recommendation that this is now
entered enabling the project to progress to delivery.