Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: April 28, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council – Record of Decision   I Councillor Jack Youd, Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Finance, Support Services and Regeneration, in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council Constitution and following consultation with Cabinet Members at the Property/ Regeneration Briefing, do hereby approve the proposed programmes of work for the Highways Investment Programme (HIP) for 2025/26.   The Reasons are: ·         Highways play an essential role in making travel more expedient, be that by car, public transport, cycling or walking. ·         Highways provide connectivity between conurbations both locally and strategically. Well maintained highways ensure the network is kept open, minimises delays and promotes economic growth in the local areas which they serve along with job opportunities. ·         By adequately maintaining our highway infrastructure, this will enhance and preserve the benefits derived from a good, sound highway infrastructure. It is crucial therefore that highways are enhanced and maintained. Planned, preventative maintenance is far more economic than reactive maintenance.   Options considered and rejected were: None   Assessment of Risk: Low - The targeted spend of available funding will ensure that the City Council’s statutory obligations are met while at the same time facilitating continuous improvement of the highway infrastructure. The source of funding is: Highways Capital Investment 2025/26 set at £3,800,000   Legal Advice obtained: Helen Chapman, Principal Solicitor     Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 places the Highway Authority under a duty to maintain a highway, and maintenance is therefore a statutory requirement.   The proposals individual schemes for highway maintenance, once finalised will strengthen the Council’s position in defending 3rd party highway/tripping claims. Whilst it is legally accepted that it is not possible to maintain the highway completely free of all defects, section 58 of the Highways Act 1980 provides a possible defence to a claim if it can adequately show that there was a sufficiently robust regime in place to inspect and maintain the highway provided it is adequately carried out and the Council had no prior knowledge of the defect before an alleged incident. Once works have been carried out in accordance with the schemes referred to the Council will be better placed to either repudiate more third party claims entirely or reduce the level of damages payable should settlement be deemed appropriate.   Any works to be undertaken as part of the HIP referred to in the body of the report should be procured in accordance with the Council’s Contractual Standing Orders and the Public Contract Regulations 2015, and the Council should use a framework to appoint contractors where a suitable one is available, such as its own Technical and Highways Works Framework and each appointment should have its own approval by way of DDN. Should the value of any such works exceed £150,000, a separate report will need to be presented to Procurement Board for decision.   Financial Advice obtained: Adam Flaherty, Senior Accountant, Finance Division     There is sufficient funding within the 2025/26 Highways Capital Investment programme, to fund the £3,800,000 works identified for the Highway Improvement Programme.   All expenditure should be closely monitored to ensure that these schemes are delivered within the allocated resources.    Procurement Advice obtained: Heather Stanton, Category Manager   This is a statutory requirement. The Technical and Highways Works Framework will be used to complete the works required. This will ensure that all works carried out are compliant with SCC Standing Orders and PCR’s 2015. Any efficiencies and savings opportunities need to be considered as part of this procurement activity.     HR Advice obtained: N/A   Climate Change Advice obtained: Michael Hemingway, Principal Officer Climate Change Will Horsfall, Team Leader Environment Policy   Well maintained footways and cycleways will encourage and promote walking and cycling which in turn will encourage healthy lifestyles. Shorter journeys are more likely to be on foot or by bike which will reduce carbon emissions from motor vehicle journeys.   Improved carriageways will also contribute to the reduction of congestion and reduce carbon emissions from standing traffic. The use of recycled and sustainable materials along with carbon friendly manufacturing processes in road maintenance products will also contribute to carbon saving measures.     The following documents have been used to assist the decision process:   Report to Property/Regeneration Briefing 28th April 2025 including: Appendix A - List of provisional carriageway and footway schemes 2025/26.   Contact Officer:  Robert Owen - Head of Highways and Network Management Email: robert.owen@salford.gov.uk                     Telephone number: 779 4848     ·         This decision is subject to consideration for briefing purposes by the Lead Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development. The Lead Member is supportive of the decision. ·         The appropriate scrutiny to call-in the decision is the Growth and Prosperity Panel.        Signed: Councillor Jack Youd Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Finance, Support Services and Regeneration Dated: 28th April 2025                                                           This decision was published on Monday 28th April 2025                                            This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on Wednesday 7th May 2025                                 unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.