PAPER C

Committee:     ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE

Date:               29 JULY 2002 

Title:               HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION BEST VALUE IMPROVEMENT PLAN

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

To advise Members as to progress with regards the preparation and implementation of the Highways and Transportation Best Value Improvement Plan.

BACKGROUND

Following the publication of the Best Value Inspectorate’s Report on the Highways and Transportation Service in December 2001, a Best Value Action Plan was prepared to address the comments and recommendations made in that Report. Details of this Plan were presented to the Environment and Transport Select Committee on the 26 June 2002 and can be found in Appendix 1.

The Best Value Inspectors will be reinspecting the Highways and Transportation Service during week commencing 12 August 2002. It was therefore considered appropriate to report progress on the Best Value Action Plan.

All measures contained within the Best Value Action Plan have been completed and documentation detailing these, along with other achievements of the service, are at present being combined into the “Highways and Transportation Best Value Improvement Plan” which will be sent to the Best Value Inspectors prior to their visit. Members of the Select Committee will also receive a copy.

Two workshops have recently been held; one with stakeholders and one with Elected Members and staff. The outcomes of the workshops are included in Appendix 2.

The restructuring of the newly formed Engineering Services Department is now underway with an emphasis on “Best Value”. A new post of Strategy and Policy Manager has been created to be directly responsible to the Head of Engineering Services for implementation of the Best Value Improvement Plan. Responsibilities will include the development of performance management systems, including quality management to ISO 9001:2000 standards; the attainment of Investors in People and customer focus.

The Isle of Wight Council has now joined SECSIG (South East Counties Service Improvement Group) which consists of 9 County Highway Authorities who pool information on best practice along with comparing regional performance indicators. The Council is also now a member of the National Best Value Benchmarking Group, which allows authorities to compare highway maintenance performance indicators.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Best Value Action Plan

Contact:          Mr Malcolm Smith      ☎ 823777

M J A FISHER

Strategic Director

Corporate and Environment Services