Decision details

Proposed decision:

To accept additional Government Pothole Funding award of £6,054,800 for a pothole and patching programme;

To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport to award and enter appropriate contractual arrangements, including any necessary extensions, subject to performance and contract terms as necessary to deliver the programme;

To confirm that the funding will be used for pothole and patching in accordance with the authorities proposed approach to Asset Management (key decision 21/00028) and is in addition to the capital programme budget agreed at County Council in February 2023; 

To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, after consultation with the S151 officer and the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport to accept further Pothole Grant Funding, subject to the grant conditions being acceptable.

Reason for the decision/urgency:

Accepting and deploying the funding urgently will enable officers to award contracts to address the increased high demand levels for repairs and patching following severe weather extremes that have in turn increased the backlog of maintenance repairs.

Background:

As part of the March budget, Government announced additional funding for pothole and patching. KCC’s allocation is just over £6m.  Previous pothole programmes have proven to be successful in terms of delivering local highway repairs in addition to the ongoing maintenance, major resurfacing and surface treatments programmes delivered in line with the authorities published approach to Asset Management.

Options (other options considered but discarded):

Not to accept the funding – discarded as budgets are under pressure and the funding will help meet increased demand.

How the proposed decision supports Framing Kent’s Future 2022-2026: (https://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/strategies-and-policies/corporate-policies/our-council-strategy)

The decision supports priority two, Infrastructure for Communities and specifically the commitment “To invest in the condition and safety of Kent’s highway assets, maximising funding opportunities from Department for Transport where possible.

As Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, I agree:

i)          To accept additional Government Pothole Funding award of £6,054,800 for a pothole and patching programme;

(ii)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport to award and enter appropriate contractual arrangements, including any necessary extensions, subject to performance and contract terms as necessary to deliver the programme;

(iii)       To confirm that the funding will be used for pothole and patching in accordance with the authorities proposed approach to Asset Management (key decision 21/00028) and is in addition to the capital programme budget agreed at County Council in February 2023; 

(iv)       To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, after consultation with the S151 officer and the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport to accept further Pothole Grant Funding, subject to the grant conditions being acceptable.