Agenda item

a)    Report from the Rapid Scrutiny Group

To receive a report in respect of the work of the Rapid Scrutiny Group and consider the proposals submitted.

b)    Highways operational performance over winter

At its meeting in November 2013 the O & S Management Committee agreed that a progress report would be presented to the Environment Select Committee after the winter, addressing operational performance.

a)    Report from the Rapid Scrutiny Group

At its meeting in November 2013 the O & S Management Committee agreed that a rapid scrutiny exercise should be undertaken on the content of the report submitted to it by the Cabinet member for Highways and Streetscene. Following the rapid scrutiny exercise in December a report was compiled and presented to the Management Committee in January. A subsequent meeting took place and a second report was produced and presented to the Environment Select Committee.

A successful Balfour Beatty community team event had occurred in Trowbridge, which provided important information regarding the relationship between Balfour Beatty and Wiltshire Council. Meetings for other community areas would begin in May 2014. Concerns were raised regarding the effectiveness of communication between Parish and Town Councils, Wiltshire Council officers and Balfour Beatty. 

It was resolved;

That, having completed its work as directed by the Management Committee the existing members of the Rapid Scrutiny group, enhanced by two additional backbench members, form a Task Group to ensure that outstanding issues area addressed and to monitor the performance of the Highways and Streetscene Contract, including the report to be produced after the first full year of operation.

To recommend endorsement of this proposal by the Management committee and adjustment to the O & S Work Programme accordingly.

b)    Highways operational performance over winter

At its meeting in November 2013 the O & S Management Committee agreed that a progress report would be presented to the Environment Select Committee after the winter, addressing operational performance and an amended report was contained within the agenda pack.

The Balfour Beatty Living Places contract was the largest contract procured by Wiltshire Council and had a value of £24 million, to which an additional £8.5 million had been added through the highways investment fund. Balfour Beatty were developing data to inform local communities when they could expect grass in their area to be cut and by whom. 

Wiltshire Council was adopting a longer term approach to maintaining roads, by scheduling improvement works rather than focusing on reactionary repair work. This had been particularly difficult in areas where Network Rail was carrying out work, which had resulted in the deterioration of minor roads following their use as diversion routes. The Council was consulting with central Government to determine who should pay for this repair work.

Advertisements had been placed for three desk-based apprentices, and 12 Prince’s Trust road-based positions, which would be reduced to six road based apprentices. The highways team were working hard to repair road damage following flooding, they had completed 50 salt runs and cleared over 400 trees. The council was considering adopting a 10 month highways programme each year, to allow for two months when they might not be able to carry out works due to extreme weather

In response to members questions, Cllr Whitehead confirmed that Atkins check the quality of the work completed by Balfour Beatty and the highways team to ensure that it is of a high standard. When a pothole is identified, if it is deemed to be dangerous, it is filled and the road is later patched as a more permanent solution. A gully clearing program was in place, and the Council were developing information to determine which gullies were prone to blockage and flooding.

It was also confirmed that where possible road maintenance was scheduled after utilities works. The utility companies had a responsibility to repair any road damage or deterioration arising within 2 years of a repair. It was suggested that Town and Parish Councils should be advised to check on any repairs after 18 months to ensure they were still of a good quality and report deficiencies to Wiltshire Council.