Agenda item

To receive a report from the Chief Officer for Highways and Transportation in relation to the work being carried out to address the highways maintenance backlog in the context of the financial challenges facing the Council.

The individuals in attendance for this item were:

 

-  Cllr Jonathan Pryor (Executive Member, Economy, Transport & Sustainable Development)

-  Cllr Debra Coupar (Executive Member, Resources)

-  Gary Bartlett (Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation)

-  Oliver Priestly (Head of Engineering and Infrastructure)

-  Simon Swift (Executive Manager, Asset Management)

-  Tony Penniston (Principal Engineer Highways Asset Management)

The Chair welcomed engagement with scrutiny on this issue on a pre-decision basis. 

 

Gary Bartlett provided introductory comment on the report noting that highways maintenance is regularly identified as a priority in public perception surveys.

 

Gary highlighted several issues including:

 

-  Since 2010 the Council has contributed £200m of capital funding to highways maintenance in addition to grants from Government.

 

-  The level of investment in highways maintenance has not kept pace with the rate of decline in the network condition and inflationary cost pressures.

 

-  The scale of the network in Leeds – the highway network comprises 2,944km carriageways and approximately 4,687km of footways.

 

-  High rainfall and severe cold weather have a disproportionate impact on the condition of the highways. Wet conditions have been a particular concern over the last 12 months.

 

-  The number of potholes on the highway has increased.

 

-  Government grant funding is spent as it is received. This has included some Network North funding received to date. Prior to the general election there had been indications that the Council should expect details of further funding via Network North but no further information had been received. Clarification of the status of potential Network North funding is awaited post general election.

 

-  The challenges facing the Council in Leeds reflect national trends. The highways maintenance backlog in England and Wales is estimated to be £16.3bn. The backlog in Leeds is estimated to be £288m.

 

Members sought clarity regarding RAG ratings for roads in different parts of the city, the process for inspecting the condition of the highway and the anticipated increase in the estimated cost of the backlog in Leeds.

 

Tony Penniston outlined the process for inspecting carriageways and footways. He also explained how roads and footways are then categorised to inform the planned schedule of works.

 

Members received an overview of the way in which the backlog is calculated. It is anticipated that the estimated cost of the backlog will increase due to inflationary pressures in the industry.

 

Further information was provided about the disparity of the scale of the backlog attributable to different wards in the city.  Members were reassured that a change in approach to prioritise funding for roads in the worst condition should see those disparities reduce over time.

 

The Scrutiny Board was advised that it is difficult to provide comparative data about performance in relation to highways maintenance due to local variations in the definition of acceptability for road conditions.  However, Gary Bartlett noted that feedback from national transportation surveys suggests the approach in Leeds can be regarded positively.

 

Cllr Scopes queried whether a map could be provided of the RAG ratings of different roads. It was agreed this would be followed up outside the meeting.

 

Members examined funding trends since 2010/11 and sought clarity about whether there had been a reduction in the Council contribution during that time.

 

Cllr Pryor reiterated that levels of investment have remained broadly comparable since 2010/11 once inflationary pressures are taken into account. He acknowledged that there has been a slight reduction in the Council’s contribution, which is reflective of the overall financial challenge for the Council following significant reductions in government funding during that period.

 

Members acknowledged the complexity of current funding streams.

 

Tony highlighted the difference in cost associated with preventative activities and reactive works, and the impact of the type of materials required as part of repairs in different areas of the city.

 

Members agreed that Cllr Bithell would write to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to advocate multi-year funding awards to provide greater certainty to those seeking to plan programmes of highways maintenance.

 

Members highlighted public concerns about repeat repairs to potholes and road surfaces. Further information was sought about the future role of artificial intelligence in preventative maintenance.

 

Officers outlined a current artificial intelligence solution that is being developed to capture the condition of the highway as part of driven inspections. Members were informed that in future this could automate the recording and categorisation of potholes and roads. It also has the potential to identify deterioration in road markings.

 

It was noted that officers receive multiple approaches throughout the year relating to innovative processes and materials; it was highlighted any innovative solutions that may be adopted have to be economically viable. The Council is represented on a national road innovation group where best practice and innovative solutions can be shared.

 

It was noted that there has been a recent increase in the number of third-party claims relating to the highways. However, Gary advised members that a “firm but fair” approach has delivered a sustained decline in claims received and compensation paid out since 2010.

 

Members sought clarity about the budget from which compensation payments are made. It was noted that each year the Council determines the level of budgetary provision required for the forthcoming year in respect of insurance payments including third party claims for incidents on the highway. During the year insurance payments are made for third party claims by the Council’s Insurance Section, and the cost is recharged to the Directorate/Service.

 

In response to member queries, Gary reassured the Scrutiny Board that third party claims are monitored by the department. It was noted that third party claims would fall within the remit of the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board. Cllr Bithell committed to highlight the interest of members in the processes associated with third party claims with the Chair of the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board.

 

Concern was raised about the quality of repairs carried out by third parties such as utility companies after they have opened the highway. Officers noted the Council does inspect repairs but due to the scale of works ongoing in the city it is not possible to check every site and in appropriate circumstances can issue fines.

 

It was suggested that technology may enable improved public engagement in relation to highways maintenance and the identification of concerning potholes or repairs by third parties.

 

Further information was sought about the comparative damage caused by HGVs and buses.

 

Members raised concern about increased deterioration in the condition of the roads due to long term changes in weather patterns.

 

Members agreed to submit a Scrutiny Statement to the Executive Member to summarise their conclusions and recommendations ahead of highways maintenance being considered by the Executive Board later this year. Members asked that the following matters be included in the statement:

 

-  Endorsement of an approach that prioritises the delivery of a higher proportion of permanent repairs rather than temporary patches, with consideration given to affordability and ways in which to measure progress.

-  Consideration to be given to public communication about the approach to highways maintenance.

-  A recommendation of a strengthening of powers in relation to the policing of third-party repairs.

-  Identification of ‘quick wins’ to improve public perception of the Council, in relation to pothole repairs and road markings.

-  To note comments regarding the impact of surface water flooding on active travel.

-  Reiterate support for the exploration of AI solutions to assist in the delivery of highways maintenance.

-  Consideration to be given to the potential disparity between wards that may be created by including complaints as a determinant within the prioritisation hierarchy for planned works.

-  To highlight the reduction in the Council contribution to highways maintenance in the context of overall financial pressure.

-  To advocate greater public transparency in the approach to highways maintenance, potentially through technological solutions such as online mapping.

It was agreed the statement would be drafted through the Chair and would then be shared with Board members once finalised.

 

RESOLVED:

The Scrutiny Board agreed that:

 

a)  The report be noted.

b)  A scrutiny statement will be provided to the Executive Member for Economy, Transport & Sustainable Development to inform consideration of this issue by the Executive Board.

c)  A letter be draft to the Chief Secretary of the Treasury to advocate multi-year funding settlements to provide greater certainty for local authorities.

d)  Cllr Bithell will highlight the interest of members in the processes around third-party claims with the Chair of the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board.

e)  Officers will consider whether a map can be provided as an illustrative example to members of the condition of roads in Leeds.