Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Decision approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: April 1, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Decision   For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:   i)  Approve the proposed list of schemes planned for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix A, making use of funding approved at Cabinet on 18 February 2025;   ii)  Accept Department of Transport (DfT) funding of £692,000.00, making use of it on the renewal of sections of the Principal and Classified Road Network, as outlined in Appendix A, in line with the guidance set by the DfT on its use; and   iii)  Grant delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Environment & Sustainable Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Sustainable Transport, to make alterations to the programme set out in Appendix A to facilitate other works, as required to maintain the highways to an acceptable standard.   Alternatives Considered   a)  An alternative considered, is to do no planned maintenance or very little, and to only manage the condition of the network by reactive maintenance. This would mean the reactive maintenance budget, would over time, need to be increased year on year, to cater for the ongoing deterioration of the network. As the condition of the network deteriorates, the work required to reactively maintain it would become more intrusive and costly. This would lead to longer reactive maintenance programmes and an overall delay to the users of the network, as well as the network becoming unsafe. The number of complaints received about the condition of the network would also increase, with more time required by officers to handle these complaints.  Due to the legal requirements to maintain the highways and footways in a safe condition and the level of deterioration in the highway network, this alternative was discounted. Therefore, it is felt that the planned maintenance programme as proposed is an essential component of the highway authority’s delivery plan, as it assists the Council in meeting its statutory obligations to ensure safety for all highway and footway users.   b)  Another consideration is not to undertake any resurfacing of the footway and carriageway network, and only undertake the essential structures works. However, it is felt that it would be best if the remaining budget left within the KNM programme is used to serve the maintenance of the wider network, in line with its original governance.