Agenda item

(To receive a report from Paul Rusted, Infrastructure Commissioner, which provides the Committee with information on the performance of the of the highways service including the Highways Alliance contract, major schemes and customer satisfaction information)

Consideration was given to a report from Paul Rusted, Infrastructure Commissioner, which set out the performance of the highways service which included:-

·         Lincolnshire Highways Alliance;

·         Major Highway Schemes Update;

·         National Road Condition Indicators,

·         Customer, Quality Cost (CQC) Efficiency Network Results 2017; and

·         Customer Satisfaction Information.

Attached to the report were the following Appendices:-

·         Appendix A – Lincolnshire Highways Alliance Performance Report Year 8 Quarter 3 October to December 2017;

·         Appendix B – Major Highway Scheme Update Report March 2018;

·         Appendix C – National Road Condition Indicators 2017/18;

·         Appendix D – CQC Efficiency Network Results 2017; and

·         Appendix E – Customer Satisfaction Information Quarter 3 October to December 2017.

In guiding the Committee through the report, the Infrastructure Commissioner advised that the Council had submitted its Department for Transport Self-Assessment for the 2018/19 funding round.  The Committee was advised that the Council had assessed itself as being Level 3 for all 22 areas of competence, which would retain the Band 3 status; and help the Council retain all of the Incentive Element of funding.  It was reported that for 2017/18 this funding had been £2.652m.

Appendix B to the report provided the Committee with information relating to Major Highway Schemes.  The Committee received an update pertaining to the Lincoln Eastern Bypass.  Confirmation was given that LCC had terminated its contract with Carillon on 22 January 2018; and that the Council had awarded a contract to Galliford Try as the replacement contractor through the Midland Highway Alliance Medium Schemes Framework on 1 February 2018, with a start date of 5 February 2018.  It was reported that the majority of existing Carillion site staff remained on site had been transferred to Galliford Try.  It was noted that an initial package of works had been agreed with Galliford Try, which would include the completion of the Market Rasen Rail Line Bridge, providing temporary crossings to the River Witham Viaduct and Delph crossings.

The Committee was advised that BAM Nuttall had nearly completed the bridge on the Spalding line near the Washingborough Road.  It was also highlighted that work by Network Archaeology was currently planned until the end of March; and that this was now emerging as a significant risk to the scheme budget with projected costs of £8.2m.

Appendix A to the report provided the Committee with performance information relating to the Lincolnshire Highway Alliance for Quarter 3 which covered the period for October to December 2017.  Page 6 of the report advised that the Alliance partners had managed to achieve their targets for Quarter 3.  The Infrastructure Commissioner advised that some of the result figures on the bottom of page 6 were incorrect; and advised the Committee of the following amendments:-

·         Alliance Key Performance Indicators (LCC/Kier/WSP/Dynniq) should be 62%; and

·         Highways Works Term Contract Performance Indicators (Kier) should be 87.6%.

It was reported that the main focus of work of the Highways Term Contract was to improve the carriageway condition.  It was highlighted that in Quarter 3, 18719 potholes had been repaired.  It was highlighted further that around 334 miles of surface dressing was due to be carried out in the summer, to extend the life of existing roads and prevent potholes from forming.

Reference was also made to the National Road Condition Indicators 2017/18; details relating to the history of road condition indicators for Lincolnshire's network were detailed in Appendix C.

The Committee was advised that the CQC Efficiency Network Results analysis for this year had suggested that the Council was operating at a 98% efficiency level.  It was noted that this was supported and reflected in some of the other associated data which suggested that the service was being delivered in an efficient and effective way.  Information pertaining to the CQC Efficiency Results 2017 was contained in Appendix D to the report.

It was reported that customer complaints relating to highways had decreased by around 20% in Quarter 3, as had compliments.  Full information relating to complaints and complements was detailed in Appendix E to the report.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following issues:-

·         Some concern was expressed at the Archaeological costs.  Officers confirmed that as works progressed, there should be less artefacts to find;

·         Some members of the Committee welcomed the report and the progress made;

·         One member enquired as to how much money had been lost as a result of Carillion going into liquidation, and as a result, whether there had been any action taken to safeguard the Council in the future.  The Committee was advised that no money had been lost as the contract had been paid in arrears; and that the Council had been able to deduct costs from the final payment.  With regard to safeguarding, the Committee was advised that no assurance could be given, but due diligence would be maintained to protect the Council;

·         Some members advised that they had found the graphics in the report very informative; and 

·         PSP 15 – Predictability of Work Costs – One member enquired why this was unable to be measured.  The Committee was advised that at the moment it was difficult to get cost data out of the system.

RESOLVED

That the Performance Report for Quarter 3 (October 2017 – December 2017) be received.