Purpose

This report seeks Cabinet approval to update
the existing Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan. The
HIAMP was last refreshed in 2012. It is being refreshed to bring it
more in line with current guidance and practices and in particular
the 2016 Well Managed Highway Infrastructure Code of Practice and
the Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Guidance Document 2013.
As well as it being refreshed, it will also be renamed as the
Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Framework (HIAMF).
 
Our highway network is a universal and high
profile asset that all of our residents and visitors to the borough
use. The HIAMF is the borough’s manual for adding to,
managing and maintaining our highways assets, planning for its
whole life use, ensuring that the safety of the network is
maintained at a safe level for highway users, within the resources
available to the council.
 
Having a well maintained highway also supports
the borough’s inclusive economic growth, and access to
healthcare, education and employment. Having the HIAMF in place and
operational will aid in tackling the climate emergency, with
smoother traffic flow and is also aligned to Priorities 3 and 4 of
the Corporate Plan.

Decision

Decision:
 
For the reasons set out in
the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree:
 

i) 
The Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Framework as set out
in Appendix 1 and Appendix 1A to 1R;

 

ii) 
To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Environment
& Sustainable Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member
for Environment, Highways and Sustainable Transport to review and
undertake all necessary amendments and updates to the Highways
Infrastructure Asset Management Framework, taking account of the
quality audits as outlined in para 4.32 of the report.
 
Alternatives
Considered
 
a)  One
alternative is not implement the HIAMF and continue using the
2012  HAMP. Although the HAMP was
drafted to take into consideration how guidance and best practice
may change, it is now outdated, and is not fully aligned to the
Well-Managed Highways Infrastructure: A Code of Practice (2016) and
Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Guidance Document 2013.
This would mean that the council would not be applying current best
practice, and would start to diverge away from what other
authorities are doing.
 
b)  For the reasons as outlined above, this
alternative is not recommended.