Cabinet Member decisions

Background:

The Public Rights of Way and Access Service adopted asset management principles for the maintenance of the PROW network in 2007. This approach has brought benefits in targeting investment in the network, managing risk and evaluating new products and materials where they may help reduce long term expenditure. This plan has now been reviewed and updated.

Alternatives to the continued operation of asset management principles for Public Rights of Way maintenance have not been  considered.

How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’: The strategic direction for the management of the PRoW network is set out in the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP), adopted by the County Council in November 2018. The ROWIP is aligned to meeting the County Council’s strategic objectives:

·         Children and young people in Kent get the best start in life.

·         Kent communities feel the benefits of economic growth by being in work, healthy and enjoying a good quality life.

·         Older and vulnerable residents are safe and supported with choices to live independently.

As Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services I agree to:

(a)  The Public Rights of Way and Access Service Asset Management Plan,

(b)  The approach taken to managing the risks associated with not fully funding the maintenance of the PRoW network in line with asset management principles; and

(c)  The proposed Service Level Risk Assessments which set out our approach to the management of risk on the PRoW network.

Background:

Last year Kent Highways together with Amey submitted a bid to the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy Planning and Transport (ADEPT) and the Department for Transport (DfT) to develop an asset management control hub, situated within the Operational Control Room (OCR) based at Aylesford Highway Depot. The bid was successful, and the project was granted £1.975m over two years, half of which was paid to the Council in May of this year, with the remainder expected in December 2019.

This is part of the £25m Smart Places Research Programme funding package to “stimulate innovation and encourage collaboration in local highways.” This included the development of up to six smart local highways and autonomous vehicle (AV) live labs focusing on innovation, collaboration and agility.

Kent County Council in collaboration with Amey submitted a bid to run one of the Live Labs and was successful in being granted £1.975m for a two-year project. The Live labs will embed SMART infrastructure in everyday service delivery in a meaningful way that communities can engage with and understand.

This intelligence-led approach to asset management could lead to significant benefits to the service in terms of efficiencies, network resilience and customer experience. An asset management control hub will be responsible for collecting all data and providing intelligent analysis, both through software automation and consultancy form.

As Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste, I agree to approve progression of the Live Labs project using the funding awarded by the Department for Transport and delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport to enter into legal agreements and to take other actions necessary to implement the decision.

To adopt the revised JTB Agreement.

Background

Joint Transportation Boards between KCC and the District/Borough Councils were established in 2005 to facilitate discussion and co-operation on local highway and transportation issues. Underpinning the JTBs is a legal agreement signed by KCC and each District/Borough.

As Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste, I agree to adopt a revised JTB Agreement.