Decision details

Members were provided with the report of the Service Director Highways and Streetcare Services which provided an update on the progress made through the ongoing Highways Investment Scheme.  The Service Director also utilised the opportunity to present costed options for future carriageway and footway maintenance strategies, as outlined within the report.

The Service Director advised that Investment across the Councils  highways asset since 2011/12 has improved the condition of the asset, reducing insurance costs and the incidence of claims for slips, trips and falls on the highway and has consequential benefits to well-being, pressures on health care and productivity.

Through his report, Members were provided with the impact of a range of funding scenarios, including the potential benefits of committing to an accelerated programme of investment, with such a programme improving the condition of the asset, and also reducing the level of funding required to maintain the asset thereafter. The Service Director explained that his would lead to a reduction in the number of pot-holes requiring filling and an opportunity to reinvest in more proactive maintenance activities.

The Leader spoke of the importance of investment and maintenance of its most valuable asset, and spoke on the accelerated investment option as identified within the report.

It was RESOLVED:

1.            To note the progress made to date, specifically the improvements in the condition of the carriageway network, the reduced numbers of third party claims made against the Council and the reduction in the number of actionable carriageway and footway defects developing on the network.

2.            To note the projected funding requirements for the various options and to take forward option 2 as outlined within the appendix of the report, namely the accelerated funding for 3years option.

(N.B County Borough Councillor R Bevan left the meeting room when the report was discussed and therefore refrained from voting on the item.)