Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment.

Decision

That the Highways Asset Management Policy and Strategy be approved.

This is a summary document of the revised Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP).

Reason for the decision

The Highways Asset Management Policy and Strategy document sets out how we have aligned our approach to support Dorset Council priorities and how the authority will manage its highway assets. The Department for Transport criteria states that we must have a current asset management policy, and strategic document, reviewed in the last two years, which must be signed off by senior decision makers, or we lose up to £2million of DfT incentivised funding.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment presented the report. The Highways Asset Management Policy and Strategy document sets out how the council had aligned its approach to support Dorset Council priorities and how the council would manage its highway assets.

Place and Resources Overview Committee considered the report at its meeting on 10 February 2022 and the Executive Director for Place recommended the proposal to Cabinet following that Place and Resources Overview members comments and support.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment proposed the recommendation, and this was seconded by Cllr P Wharf.

As the Vice-Chairman for Place and Resources Overview Committee, Cllr L Fry confirmed that the committee supported the recommendations set out in the report.

Decision

That the Highways Asset Management Policy and Strategy be approved.

This is a summary document of the revised Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP).

Reason for the decision

The Highways Asset Management Policy and Strategy document sets out how we have aligned our approach to support Dorset Council priorities and how the authority will manage its highway assets. The Department for Transport criteria states that we must have a current asset management policy, and strategic document, reviewed in the last two years, which must be signed off by senior decision makers, or we lose up to £2million of DfT incentivised funding.

To consider a report of the Head of Highways.

The committee received and considered a report of the Head of Highways, which sought support and the recommendation to Cabinet, of the revised Highways Asset Management Policy and Strategy.

Councillors discussed the issues arising from the report and points were raised in the following areas:

·            Maintenance of bridges and structures to ensure safety.  Spending had to be prioritised and a robust inspection plan was in place

·            Concern expressed with regard to reference in the plan to ‘managed decline’

·            A request that Highways budgets were not sacrificed for budgets in other council areas

·            Links to the Local Transport Plan and Local Plan

·            There would be further consideration of the council’s future infrastructure strategy

·            The key role for proactive or preventative maintenance

·            Councillors could contact Community Highways Officers with specific issues.

It was proposed by S Jespersen seconded by L Fry

Recommendation to Cabinet

That the proposed revised Highways Asset Management Policy and Strategy, which is a summary document of the revised Highways Asset management Plan (HAMP), be approved.

The Executive Director of Place, having heard the debate, confirmed the ‘minded to’ recommendation to Cabinet, under delegated powers on behalf of the informal meeting of the Place and Resources Overview Committee.