Purpose

Update following implementation on 1 Apr 2023

Decision

This report summarised and reviewed the progress made by Buckinghamshire Highways in its first 12 months since its inception on 1st April 2023. Buckinghamshire Highways launched on 1st April 2023. The first year of the new arrangements had seen a completely new delivery model, from a wholly out-sourced Highways service to an Alliance partnership, consisting of a much larger client team working alongside and managing a suite of 14 contracts to cover all aspects of Highways Maintenance.

The new delivery model involved the TUPE transfer of 200 staff into three separate organisations, Balfour Beatty Living Places (the appointed Term Maintenance Contractor), AtkinsRéalis (the appointed Term Consultant Contractor) and Buckinghamshire Council (the Client), with inductions, training and culture change all part of the transition process. The change also necessitated entirely new systems of work, processes and new operational IT systems for all aspects of the business, from inspections, through works ordering, design and to delivery on the ground.

These changes meant the Council now had far greater control of programmes, finance, policies and works ordering through the Highways Client team, directly instructing the Alliance delivery partners Balfour Beatty Living Places, AtkinsRéalis and the specialist framework contractors.

The start of the new contract coincided with the aftermath of one of the most damaging winters for road surfaces ever seen and followed recently by one of the most relentlessly wet and stormy winters on record – all bringing extensive challenges for the service. The impact of the challenging winter resulted in the highest recorded levels of demand for the service.

Despite these challenges, there have been significant achievements, including: -

·       Successfully delivering a £42 million capital programme including 209 improvement projects for carriageways and footways;

·       Despite the tripling of defects being repaired, the revenue programme remained within budgets, proving the benefit of the new delivery mechanisms in driving increased productivity and value for money;

·       Fixing over 34,000 potholes;

·       Attending every one of the 85,000 gullies across the county;

·       Dealing with 3,209 emergency call-outs, responding 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

·       Making significant progress to address the outstanding defects from the previous contract arrangements;

·       Upgrading 3,136 streetlights to LED which means that 99% of Street Lights are now LED delivering the associated energy savings and environmental benefits.

It should be borne in mind that although a record numbers of defects repairs were made, the number of defects reported would always be far greater than the resources available to repair them. There was a robust Highways Safety Inspection Policy ensuring that the highest priority defects reported were identified and repaired.

RESOLVED

That the review of Buckinghamshire Highways’ activities, progress and key issues in its first 12 months of operation be noted.