Decision ref
0013 2024/25
Decision date
01/07/2024
Portfolio
Transport and Environment
Wards
All wards
Title
Network North Funding for Highways Maintenance 2023/24
Summary
This report seeks approval to accept additional Department for Transport (DfT) that will be distributed by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) for Highways Maintenance from the financial year 2023/24 towards highway maintenance works for 2024/25.
Purpose
This report seeks approval to accept grant funding from the LCRCA to facilitate Highways Maintenance from the financial year 2023/24 towards highway maintenance works for 2024/25.
Background
In October 2023, the Government announced an additional £8.36 billion for local Highway Maintenance from 2023/24 - 2033/34.
This funding is in addition to our LCRCA Liverpool City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funding accepted by Cabinet in April 2023 and further funding from the DfT Local Transport Capital Block Funding (Pothole Fund) in September 2023.
The funding is allocated to local highways authorities so they can most effectively spend this on maintaining and improving their respective network, based upon their local knowledge, circumstances and priorities.
From this additional funding, the LCRCA has been allocated £374,686.40 for Highway Maintenance.
As previous additional funding settlements for the Liverpool City Region, the highway maintenance funding has been allocated on a formulaic basis with the share for St. Helens Council being £374,686.40. This allocation has been calculated based on the length of St. Helens roads in kilometres as a percentage of Liverpool City Region roads. In addition, the council has received
With an indicative 5-year 2022/2027 Highways Maintenance delivery programme approved by Cabinet in June 2022, this additional funding will be used to maintain and improve our local roads, being targeted predominantly at reactive maintenance activity including patching and pothole repair. This work will be evidence led and informed by highway inspection findings and customer feedback
Conclusion
Recommended to accept this funding allocation from the LCRCA as it will assist the Council to maintain and improve local roads and the Council as Highway Authority to perform its statutory duty to maintain the adopted highway. The effective maintenance and improvement of the local highway network will support and strengthen the opportunities for growth within the Borough and the City Region.
Risk Implications
There will be a requirement to spend the allocated funding within the prescribed timescales and conditions as set out by the DfT/LCRCA to avoid any risk of claw back.
The work will be conducted on the live highway and will comply with the relevant Health and Safety Legislation.
The proposed works will help to limit the Council’s risk from insurance claims relating to highways trips, falls and accidents.
Measures to Redress Risk
Officers will adhere to the Borough’s Code of Practice for Highway Safety Inspections, and will collaborate with our insurance provider, Liverpool City Region and neighbouring Highway Authorities in determining levels of service.
Declarations Of Interest
None
Equality Impact Assessment
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More information
Please contact Faye Robinson on 01744 676414
