Highways Maintenance - Asset Management Policy and Strategy 2015

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1 Corporate Report Format To the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Transportation Highways Maintenance - Asset Management Policy and Strategy 2015 Relevant Cabinet Wards Affected Key Decision Member(s) Cllr Blackham All Yes EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. This report provides a high level Policy Statement and Strategy document for the delivery of highways asset management services in accordance with the guidelines for Highway Infrastructure Asset Management given by the Department for Transport-Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme (DfT-HMEP) The report seeks approval for the adoption of the Policy and Strategy as the basis for the development of Doncaster s Highway Asset Management Plan. Doncaster Council s Highway Asset Management Policy provides a brief statement outlining the principles adopted in shaping the Strategy by taking account of Council and highway maintenance priorities, service standards, stakeholder consultation, service delivery and improvement initiatives which shall inform the development of the Strategy. The Strategy model provides the connectivity between Council Governance through a process of Enabling, Planning and Service Delivery and takes account of Doncaster s Corporate Plan and Priorities The Strategy is an overarching document which is applied to the core highways infrastructure asset groups of:- Carriageways and Footways Bridges, Retaining Walls and Other Highways structures Flood Risk and Drainage Street Lighting Traffic Signals for which service levels, desired outcomes, investment priority and future demands are considered and will be further developed in the Highways Asset Management Plan.

2 EXEMPT REPORT 2. The information contained in this report is not exempt from publication. RECOMMENDATIONS 3. It is recommended that this overarching Policy Statement and Strategy for Highways Asset Management is recognised and approved by Portfolio as providing the basis for the development of Doncaster s Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP). WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE CITIZENS OF DONCASTER? 4. Doncaster s citizens will have the assurance and safeguard that good asset management principles are adopted and applied to the delivery of Doncaster s core highways asset services. The strategy underpins the way for an effective and efficient holistic approach to service delivery which is particularly important in these times of financial austerity; this is reflected in the consideration and determination of priority maintenance needs for operational schemes and services. BACKGROUND 5. Doncaster s Highways Asset Management Policy Statement and Strategy 2015 is aimed at Council Members, senior management and key service stakeholders and will attain compliance with the Department for Transport- Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme (DfT-HMEP) initiatives. DfT-HMEP requires all Highway Authorities to submit an asset management self-assessment questionnaire at around November 2015 outlining their asset management status and direction. Approval and adoption of the Highways Asset Management Policy Statement and Strategy is a key requirement of this assessment process which shall be used to determine the local highway maintenance capital funding level applied to the new Incentive Fund allocation in 2016/17 and beyond. The provision of a Council approved Policy and Strategy document is therefore vital in order to secure future optimal highway maintenance capital funding levels. OPTIONS CONSIDERED 6. There is only one option for consideration, failure to approve the Policy and Strategy will result in a significant reduction of local highway maintenance capital funding level applied to the new Incentive Fund allocation in 2016/17 and beyond. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDED OPTION 7. The Highways Maintenance - Asset Management Policy and Strategy 2015 is a key entity of the DfT-HMEP Self-Assessment Questionnaire which shall determine the additional level of capital funding for highway maintenance from the new DfT Incentive Fund allocation in 2016/17 and beyond. The incentive funding awarded will be based on the score in the questionnaire and

3 will be relative to the amount received through the needs-based formula. IMPACT ON THE COUNCIL S KEY OUTCOMES 8. Outcomes All people in Doncaster benefit from a thriving and resilient economy. Mayoral Priority: Creating Jobs and Housing Mayoral Priority: Be a strong voice for our veterans Mayoral Priority: Protecting Doncaster s vital services People live safe, healthy, active and independent lives. Mayoral Priority: Safeguarding our Communities Mayoral Priority: Bringing down the cost of living People in Doncaster benefit from a high quality built and natural environment. Mayoral Priority: Creating Jobs and Housing Mayoral Priority: Safeguarding our Communities Mayoral Priority: Bringing down the cost of living All families thrive. Mayoral Priority: Protecting Doncaster s vital services Council services are modern and value for money. Working with our partners we will provide strong leadership and Implications Road maintenance underpins the delivery of all other services and promotes regeneration initiatives, prosperity and industrial and commercial enterprises. Well maintained highways create the right conditions for growth by improving our external image, our connections and the major infrastructure. Reduces, congestion, pollution, journey times, fuel usage, damage and injury. Enhances the street scene. Addresses aspects of social inclusion by promoting the ability to travel on safe and serviceable highways network. Supports a safer and enduring environment for road users and a sense of well-being for local residents. Encourages pride in the local environment. Supports a safer and enduring environment for road users and a sense of well-being for local residents. Encourages pride in the local environment. Permanent and preventative road maintenance repairs will prolong the life of the road and is cost effective in the long-term. Compliance with governance protocols and partnership working

4 governance. arrangements provides the platform from which cost efficient and effective highways maintenance services are delivered. RISKS AND ASSUMPTIONS 9. The DfT-HMEP local highways maintenance funding self-assessment questionnaire for the capital Incentive Fund is driving the need to have a Council approved Highways Asset Management Policy Statement and Strategy in place by November The Asset Management Policy and Strategy provides one of the mandatory corner stones of the assessment process. Without an approved Policy and Strategy, Doncaster s capital funding for local highway maintenance will be reduced in 2016/17. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS 10. The Highways Act 1980 sets out the main statutory duties of Highways Authorities, including the duty to ensure that highways maintainable at public expense are kept in a safe condition. The Traffic Management Act 2004 provides a duty to ensure the expeditious movement of traffic on the Authority s road network. Further legal advice will be required as the strategy is implemented, particular in relation to contracts, procurement and planning issues. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 11. There are no direct financial implications with the approval and implementation of the Highways Asset Management Policy Statement and Strategy, however, failure to approve and implement the policy and strategy may have an impact on future years capital grant settlements. The Highways Asset Management Plan needs to be prepared in line with available resources and any schemes identified from the Highways Asset Management Plan would be subject to separate approval and completion of financial implications through an ODR in order to be included within the Capital Programme. HUMAN RESOURCES IMPLICATIONS 12. There are no HR Implications. TECHNOLOGY IMPLICATIONS 13. There are no Technology Implications. EQUALITY IMPLICATIONS 14. The highway maintenance asset management policy and strategy aims to:- Demonstrate the commitment to adopting the principles of highway infrastructure asset management by senior decision makers.

5 Document the principles, concepts and approach adopted in delivering highway infrastructure asset management at a high level. Link with the Council s policies and strategic objectives and demonstrates the contribution of the highway service in meeting these. Set out the desired levels of service from implementing asset management. Facilitate communication with stakeholders of the approach adopted to managing highway infrastructure assets. In essence, the Policy and Strategy provides a high level statement of intent and direction that highways service delivery will take in providing safe, serviceable and sustainable services that are affordable and meet the current and future needs of our customers within the availability of our resource and financial provisions. CONSULTATION 15. Consultation has been undertaken between the core highways infrastructure asset groups:- Carriageways and Footways Bridges, Retaining Walls and Other Highways structures Flood Risk and Drainage Street Lighting Traffic Signals The Highways Portfolio and Director Regeneration and Environment have also been consulted through the Head of Highways. Key external stakeholders have been consulted and comments on the Policy and Strategy invited and incorporated within the documents. The Policy and Strategy shall be further reviewed and developed in line with Doncaster s Corporate Plan and Priorities and as the Doncaster HAMP is further developed. This report has significant implications in terms of the following: Procurement Crime & Disorder Human Resources Human Rights & Equalities Buildings, Land and Occupiers Environment & Sustainability X ICT Capital Programme X BACKGROUND PAPERS 16. Doncaster Council Highways Asset Maintenance Management Policy Statement Doncaster Council Highways Asset Management Strategy HMEP Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Guidance Document May 2013 (available online through the HMEP website).

6 HMEP Local Highways Maintenance Capital Funding Self-Assessment Questionnaire for the Incentive Fund (available online through the HMEP website). REPORT AUTHOR & CONTRIBUTORS Barry Roughley - Highways Asset Maintenance Manager Tel: barry.roughley@doncaster.gov.uk Lee Garrett Head of Service Highways and Waste Infrastructure. Tel : lee.garrett@doncaster.gov.uk Peter Dale - Director Regeneration and Environment