The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) providing an update on progress in developing the Council’s approach to Highways/Transport Infrastructure Asset Management (HIAM) and requesting that consideration be given to the Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan (HIAMP).

Resolved:

1. That the HIAMP and associated appendices as the Council’s approach to asset management and operational service delivery, be approved.

2. That continued cross boundary joint working on asset management, enabling better understanding and development of collaborative working, benchmarking and efficiency, resilience, customer communications and operation delivery to support the management of assets in Southend-on-Sea, be approved.

3. That the lifecycle plans which form the basis for the prediction of future performance of a group of assets, based on investment scenarios and maintenance strategies, be noted.

4. That it be agreed that the HIAMP and appendices will influence the Council’s approach to highway maintenance and management of assets in order to meet the requirements as set out by the Department of Transport.

5. That the increase of the Council’s banding for the next Department for Transport self-assessment questionnaire (SaQ) return, be noted.  (The result of which will be the Council will receive its full funding awards and improve the case for additional funding grants by adopting asset management principles).

Reasons for Decision

To establish a framework which has the means to deliver a more efficient and effective approach to the management of highway infrastructure assets.

Other Options

Do nothing and settle for a lower band score. However, this would mean that the Council has no credible strategy for investing in assets and result in a significant loss of external funding for maintenance.

Note: This is an Executive function

Eligible for call in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Cox