Issue - meetings

The report before Members detailed the call-in of a Key Executive Decision relating to the Highways Capital Programme 2018/19.

A requisition signed by Councillors Ray Morgan and Clarence Barrett had called-in the Executive Decision dated 17 September 2018.

The reasons for the call-in were as follows:

1. There was a lack of detail in respect of the business case for each intended works.

2. There was a lack of data to provide evidence to back up the “worst first” business case. (There were no figures on the number of repair requests received for works to be done in each road over the past 3 years, details of input from the ALO’s and results of UKPMS surveys).

3. There was a lack of detail on how the Horizon system created the “worst first” list.

4. Lack of detail on the £1.7 million not now required on other schemes.

Members were addressed by the Cabinet Member for Environment who explained the rationale for the decision taken.

Members were advised as a point of clarification that the Balmoral Road referred to in the decision should have read Squirrels Heath ward rather than Hacton ward.

During the debate Members asked for and received several points of clarification which were provided by the Council’s Highways officers.

Several Members commented that they had concerns regarding the roads that had been chosen for repairs as they did not feel that those roads were in the worst state of disrepair.

Officers advised that the footways and carriageways were the most in need of repair following the United Kingdom Pavement Management System (UKPMS) surveys.

Members were advised that the Horizons software identified and prioritised highway maintenance schemes and determined the cost implications of various treatments.

Condition surveys would continue on an annual basis which would allow for future modelling of the highway asset in the future.

Officers extended an invitation to Members to visit the Highways office to see the Horizons software in action.

Members noted that the additional £1.2m of funding for the programme had been met by an underspend in capital budgets.

The vote for the decision as to whether to uphold or dismiss the call-in was carried by 9 votes to 7.

Members voted to dismiss the call-in.

It was RESOLVED that the call-in of the Executive Decision dated 17 September 2018 be dismissed.