Agenda item

Mr Nick Chard, Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste and Mr John Burr, Director of Kent Highway Services have been invited to attend the meeting between 10.45am and 11.15am to answer Members’ questions on this item. 

Mr N Chard, Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste and Mr J Burr, Director of Kent Highway Services were present for this item. 

(1)    Mr Chard explained that the Council had received funding of £2.4million from Central Government, £2.5million from Kent County Council corporately, and £1.5million from Kent Highway Services (KHS); a total additional money of £6.44million.  The find and fix initiative would reach every residential road in the county.

(2)    In response to a question from the Chairman about the £1.5million that KHS had been able to utilise through efficiencies, Mr Burr explained that this had become available through a procurement exercise, cheaper market rates had resulted in a £1.5million surplus which could be put into the find and fix initiative. 

(3)    Mr Horne queried the road repair backlog figure of £430million, it was important that the Council did not see an increase in the backlog figure from year to year, what standard was the Council looking for?  Mr Burr explained that the backlog figure was arrived at through a complicated process of asset management; this figure would raise the standard of all the highways.  The find and fix initiative was already undertaking 6 times more repairs on each road than would have been tackled under previous KCC policies, and substantial sums were planned for surface dressing on rural roads to prevent a repeat of the problems this winter.  Kent was not unique; other counties had similar, if not larger, problems with road repairs.  Mr Burr added that to ensure that the backlog figure did not increase there was a need to approach problems in a different way.

(4)     Mr Manning asked whether Parish and Town Councils were being informed before the find and fix teams arrived.  Mr Manning also asked for clarification on the actual costs of the administration of the contract with the KHS alliance, this was currently estimated at around £320k (5% of the contract value).  In relation to the backlog, was it possible to see how the figure of £430million was broken down?   Mr Burr confirmed that the programme for the Parish and Town Councils was available on the website and was updated regularly.  The actual costs of the management and supervision of the contract were currently 6% but the Council was recovering the costs of the original setup and was confident that the end figure would be 5%, more detail could be provided if required.  Members were invited to see the asset management system which arrived at the backlog figure.  In response to Mr Manning’s point about utility inspections, Mr Burr explained that the Council was currently undertaking 10% more inspections to determine the cost and quality of inspections, if it became possible to prove that the roads were getting worse because of utility repairs it might be possible to recover the costs from the utility companies. 

(5)    In response to a question from Mrs Rook about the Council’s plans in case of another bad winter in 2010/11, Mr Burr explained that the Council was happy with the quality of the repairs, the surface dressing programme had been extended and as many roads as possible would be covered, however there was no guarantee that in the event of a bad winter potholes would not appear. 

(6)    In relation to the find and fix initiative, Mr King asked whether money was being spent in the right way.  Mr Chard stated that it was; in the past the Council had been focussed on a technical solution, but public perception was also very important.

(7)    Mr Scholes raised concerns about the constant repairs to roads without resurfacing, Mr Chard explained that Kent had a legacy of roads with underlying problems, it was essential to have the roads in a worthy condition. 

(8)    In light of Kent’s role as the gateway to Europe, Mrs Law asked whether it was time to negotiate a Kent premium.  Mr Chard was aware that the Leader of the Council had been discussing a ‘Britdisc’ type fee system to allow for charging of those vehicles that were not contributing tax wise to the UK economy. 

(9)    In response to a question from Mr Christie regarding the table on page 40 of the Cabinet Scrutiny Committee agenda papers, Mr Chard explained that the programme was almost half way through, the downside of find and fix was that those roads which had not yet been repaired were problematic for members of the public.  Mr Burr explained that the table showed potholes repaired and m2 patching area separately to enable the Council to monitor the performance of the gangs. 

(10)          Mr Horne asked whether there was any opportunity for special consideration to get additional European funding to improve Kent’s roads, taking into account the use of the roads by non UK tax payers.  Mr Chard explained that the last time discussions were held with the European community no funding was available, however this would be investigated again. 

(11)          In response to a question from Mr King regarding surface dressing on rural roads, Mr Burr confirmed that yes the majority of rural roads would be surface dressed and a Member guide to Highways would be put together to ensure that Members understand the process for road repairs in Kent. 

(12)          The Chairman asked that the use of the DART-Tag be promoted as good value for residents of Kent and a way of reducing congestion at the Dartford crossing.  In response to a question about what had been learned from the find and fix programme, Mr Burr explained that the Council was focussing on output, the commercial liability on the Council had been removed and the payment mechanism reviewed.  All defects on the roads were being fixed and it was now important to maintain those roads at the improved standard.  The Council was going through a competitive process with the bidders and the lessons learned would be shared with them to help build on the work already undertaken. 

RESOLVED: that the Cabinet Scrutiny Committee

(13)          Thank Mr Chard and Mr Burr for attending the meeting and answering Members’ questions,

(14)          Congratulate officers and the Cabinet Member on the additional £1.5million for find and fix identified through the procurement process,

(15)          Welcome the increase in surface dressing to prolong the life of existing roads

(16)          Welcome the offer of the Director of Kent Highway Services to provide a basic guide for Members demonstrating how the Council assesses the quality of roads and ensures that the quality improves,

(17)          Ask for an estimate of the spending required to slow down the backlog and improve the condition of the roads,

(18)          Welcome the assurance of the Cabinet Member for Environment Highways and Waste that he would again investigate whether European funding was available to help with the repair and maintenance of Kent’s roads,

(19)          Ask that the DART-Tag be advertised as a time and cost effective scheme attached to the Dartford tunnel.