Purpose

Highway Network Management is responsible for administering a range of licensing functions under the Highways Act 1980 and the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 on behalf of the Council in its capacity as Highway Authority and Street Works Authority.
The Council also has statutory duties to protect the highway network, its infrastructure and all highway users. A number of these responsibilities are designated as Executive Functions within the Council's Constitution.
Given the specialist and operational nature of these responsibilities, it is considered appropriate that certain decisions are delegated to suitably qualified officers within the Highway Network Management service. An approved Scheme of Delegation would support efficient decision- making, ensure compliance with statutory duties and enable the effective delivery of highway authority functions.

Decision

To approve a Scheme of Delegation authorising the Executive Director of Place and the Service Director of Environment to appoint suitably qualified officers to exercise licensing and enforcement functions on behalf of the Council, in accordance with relevant legislation and the Council's Constitution.

Alternative options considered

No alternative option is considered appropriate. The functions concerned relate to the day-to- day exercise of statutory powers and duties under highways legislation and require timely operational decision-making by suitably qualified officers. In the absence of a Scheme of Delegation, the Council's ability to discharge these functions efficiently and effectively would be adversely affected