Agenda item

Report of Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport   

The Committee considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport updating them on the operation of the County Council’s Infrastructure+ (highway and non-property infrastructure services) and Lighting Contracts (schedule 2 to the signed minutes).

Infrastructure+ had gone live on 1 October 2014 since which time it had:- (i) delivered in excess of £300m highway maintenance operations and projects; (ii) achieved over £30m front-line service cost savings and; (iii) implemented in excess of £100m of Highway and transport infrastructure improvements.

A total of 905 Staffordshire households had responded to the 2021 National highways and Transport (NHT) survey, an analysis of the responses received had indicated they placed most importance on ‘Safety on Roads’ and ‘Condition of Roads’ and least importance on ‘Demand Responsive Transport and ‘Local Taxi or Minicab Services’. In addition, the public were most satisfied with ‘street lighting’ and least satisfied with ‘Condition of Roads’.

Members noted that Staffordshire’s overall theme scores in the 2021 NHT survey had generally declined when compared to those in 2020. Respondents’ considered that there were more potholes and damaged roads and the Authority were doing less to repair local highway infrastructure. However, a transformation programme comprising three elements ((i) Design of Future Service Deliver Model; (ii) Changing Arrangements Now, ready for the Future and; (iii) A new Investment Strategy) was currently being developed which would ensure better performance in the future. Specifically, the Programme aimed to:- (i) put communities and customers at the heart of service delivery; (ii) provide greater control and flexibility of resources; (iii) launch a new enhanced communities offer and; (iv) focus on quality, improving assets and demonstrating value for money.

With regard to lighting, Lighting for Staffordshire Limited had commenced their delivery of the street lighting Private Finance Initiative Contract in May 2003. Since this time the quantity of street lighting assets in the County had increased from 99,343 to 108,406 in 2021 (ie 9.1%). Members noted that contract performance took account of both the Asset Renewal Programme and general maintenance operations.

Members noted that the total number of assets renewed in the current five-year block period (2018-2023) was 7,160 against a target of 9,170. In addition, the number of assets renewed in the two previous blocks had exceeded their respective targets. During 2021, the total number of faults (including emergency faults) had reduced by approximately 50% when compared to 2003. Also, the number of lights lit remained consistently high at 99.3% compared to a target of 98%. According to the NHT survey, Staffordshire’s customer satisfaction was 98%.

During the full and wide-ranging discussion which ensued, Members gave detailed scrutiny to the performance data set out in the report and appendices, asking questions and seeking clarification on various matters, where necessary, including:- (i) the significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions achieved by the lighting renewal programme; (ii) the reliability of new equipment (lights and columns) installed; (iii) the standards required of new developments in respect of highway infrastructure prior to adoption by the County Council; (iv) and the arrangements for reporting defects by members of the public and County Councillors.

RESOLVED – (a) That the report be received and noted.

(b) That the performance achieved by the County Council’s Infrastructure+ and lighting contracts, since their commencement, be noted and the efforts being made to improve customer satisfaction in the future be welcomed.

(c) That the feasibility of providing Members with additional information, via the County Council’s electronic mapping system, on highway structures/assets within their Divisions, included in the above-mentioned lighting contract, be investigated.

(d) That on-going performance against the above-mentioned contracts be monitored closely.

(e) That further reports on the County Council’s Highways Infrastructure Transformation Programme, in light of its revised priority status, be brought to future meetings for consideration/scrutiny, as required.