Issue - meetings

(1)       The Director’s update set out some of the key issues and developments in KHS.

(2)       A229 Blue Bell Hill – Crews worked 24 hours a day over 28-31 March weekend laying 5,500 tonnes of material using 3 paving machines over the 3km scheme length.  We successfully delivered on time and budget and a wash-up meeting had been held to learn lessons for the future and how this type of project delivery could be translated into smaller schemes. This was a great Alliance team effort and demonstrated the value of the long term relationship with Ringway and Jacobs.  BehdadHaratbar, Acting Head of Countywide Improvements led on the project.

(3)       Accommodation - Wrotham – Following discussions with KCC Planning Team and after seeking Counsel advice we had decided to withdraw from the Wrotham site and look for alternative location for the second major office/depot.  As the planning and construction process was likely to take 18 months we planned to move to consolidate staff in the Doubleday House complex once the new site at Ashford was completed.  This would mean that KHS staff would primarily operate from Ashford, Doubleday and Invicta House.  The Director, KHS was taking responsibility for this key project.

(4)       Potholes  – The effect of last year's wet summer, followed by the wet winter had caused damage to many roads resulting in potholes. To combat this, Kent Highway Services launched a blitz on potholes during April. We had redirected over 24 crews to focus on repairing only potholes and raised a high profile campaign of reporting with the public.  At its peak we were repairing over 3000 potholes a week.  The media and radio campaign had been successful in raising the awareness of who to report a pothole to and we planned a similar campaign in the Autumn.  Kim Hills, Head of Community Operations was leading on this.

(5)       New high profile vans – the first order of liveried vans has arrived to raise the profile of our inspectors and help drive the ‘keeping kent moving’ target.  We will shortly have over 60 vans around the county advertising the 08458 247 800 telephone number and the new red KHS logo.

(6)       Re-organising KHS – The new KHS structure was now around 90% populated with on-going recruitment processes both internal and external to fill the remaining posts.  We were finding some posts difficult to fill due to the market chasing a small number of people with specialist skills.  We continued to use recruitment fairs to attract new talent to the Alliance.  Staff were bedding down in their new roles and teams and staff development/training had started to ensure everyone was clear on their roles and how to use the new technology that had started to be rolled out.  The changes to the Environment and Regeneration Directorate Resources Division would have an impact on the Business, Performance and Communications Group and the Finance Group and the Director, KHS was working closely with Adam Wilkinson to ensure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4