Maintaining Scotland's Roads: a Follow up Report
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AUDIT COMMITTEE
AUDIT SCOTLAND – MAINTAINING SCOTLAND’S ROADS: A FOLLOW UP REPORT – IMPACT REPORT
REPORT BY HEAD OF OPERATIONAL SERVICES
A. PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report is to advise the committee of the Audit Scotland report; Maintaining Scotland’s Roads: a follow-up report – Impact Report.
B. RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Audit and Governance Committee note the: recommendations made by the report; and current position in West Lothian.
C. SUMMARY OF IMPLICATIONS
I Council Values Focusing on our customers' needs; Being honest, open and accountable; Making best use of our resources; and Working in partnership
II Policy and Legal (including The council is required to demonstrate Best Strategic Environmental Value and its performance is audited by the Assessment, Equality Accounts Commission. Management of Issues, Health or Risk performance in relation to key strategic Assessment) objectives is necessary in order to demonstrate best value.
III Implications for Scheme of None Delegations to Officers
IV Impact on performance and Continued use of performance indicators relating performance Indicators to asset management. Oversight and benchmarking by Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS) & the Association for Public Services Excellence (APSE).
V Relevance to Single Outcome 1 -We make West Lothian an Outcome Agreement attractive place for doing business in Scotland. Outcome 10 - We live in well-designed, sustainable places where we are able to access the services we need. Outcome 12 - We value and enjoy our
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built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future generations. Outcome 15 - Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient.
VI Resources - (Financial, Roads, Structures, Lighting & Water Related Staffing and Property) Infrastructure revenue budgets and the five year capital investment strategy will support the Roads & Transportation Asset Management Plan.
VII Consideration at PDSP N/A
VIII Other consultations N/A
D. TERMS OF REPORT
Background
Audit Scotland published the Maintaining Scotland’s Roads report in 2004 and a follow-up report in 2016. The Strategic Action Group (Roads Collaboration Programme (RCP), SCOTS, Transport Scotland and COSLA) published its response to the report’s recommendations in January 2018.
The report summarises the impact made by the Accounts Commission and Auditor General for Scotland performance audit Maintaining Scotland’s Roads: A follow-up report published in August 2016. It gives key recommendations for councils, Transport Scotland and SCOTS.
Key Recommendations for Councils
It is recommended that councils should: Work closely with the Roads Collaboration Programme and regional group partners to determine the extent of shared service models for roads maintenance operations.
West Lothian Council, East Lothian, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and City of Edinburgh councils continue to participate in a shadow joint committee. The committee is chaired by an elected member from Scottish Borders Council and is supported by an officer working group. We also hold regular discussions with neighbouring authorities (Falkirk, Stirling).
Ensure that they implement the findings of the review of Road Asset Management Plans (RAMPs) where relevant.
During phase two of the Asset Management Project SCOTS completed, an Audit/Review (September 2015), an independent assessment of the state of development and use of Road Asset Management Planning in West Lothian. The audit was completed by comparing our current position against SCOTS’s Standard of Good Road Asset Management Practice. The findings of the review were generally positive and a recommended Improvement Action
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Programme was provided and we have been working through these, including making changes to our Asset Management Plan and Policy.
A subsequent self–assessment audit has been completed and we have made progress in most of the recommended areas.
Implement methods for assessing and comparing council’s roads maintenance efficiency with the aim of identifying and learning from those delivering services more efficiently.
Roads and Transportation have continued to collect road asset management data for SCOTS. The data is checked and analysed by APSE and allows us to compare our performance with the other Scottish authorities. Performance Indicator Results for 2016-17 have been published by SCOTS and the report compares our results, which have been grouped along with eight other semi urban authorities (Family Group 3). By reviewing the results we can see where we are performing well and identify areas for improvement.
At the 2017 APSE Best and Most Improved Performance Awards, West Lothian Council was a finalist in the Highways, Roads and Winter maintenance Best Performer category.
Use the National Highways and Transport (NHT) Network Survey or similar to obtain user views and perceptions of roads services consistently.
Roads and Transportation use the National Highways & Transportation Customer Satisfaction Survey to collect public perspectives on the importance of, and satisfaction with, roads and transportation services in West Lothian. The survey deals with a wide range of themes including: accessibility, public transport, walking and cycling, congestions, road safety, and roads maintenance.
Based on the results of this survey, for overall customer satisfaction, West Lothian Council is the highest ranking local authority in Scotland and 2nd in the wider UK. Of particular note is that West Lothian Council ranked 2nd in the whole UK for customer satisfaction under the Road Safety and Tackling congestion themes. This is a significant achievement and underlines the council’s approach in these areas.
Use the results of user surveys to more proactively engage with the public over roads maintenance issues and to inform scrutiny of budgetary proposals.
Roads and Transportation are currently working with Bathgate Community Council after a participation request. We will be exploring with them methods of engagement and information sharing. If these are found to be acceptable we hope to roll them out to other Community Councils.
Key Recommendations SCOTS It is recommended that SCOTS should: Work with councils to implement the findings of the review of RAMPs and promote any good practice Continue, as a matter of priority, to work with consultants to develop methods for assessing and comparing roads maintenance efficiency
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Focus the work of the Scottish Roads Research Board to identify projects aimed at maximising innovation and sharing of good practice.
Council officers participate in a wide range of SCOTS specialist groups and the asset management project. This will ensure that West Lothian has a strong voice and is in a position to influence the direction of roads maintenance in Scotland.
E. CONCLUSION
West Lothian has already met a number of the key recommendations and is working well with our collaborative partners to make progress in other areas.
F. BACKGROUND REFERENCES
Maintaining Scotland’s Roads: A Follow-up Report - Impact Report (June 2018) http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/report/maintaining-scotlands-roads-a-follow- up-report-impact-report
Contact Person: Kenneth Brown, Senior Engineer – Maintenance, Address: West Lothian Council, Roads & Transportation Whitehill Service Centre, 4 Inchmuir Road, Bathgate, West Lothian, EH48 2HA Tel: 01506 284818. Email: [email protected]
Jim Jack Head of Operational Services
Date of Meeting: 8 October 2018
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