Councillor Harry Smith introduced a report by the Strategic Director - Regeneration and Environment which sought the Cabinet’s approval for Preventative Maintenance to Unclassified and Residential Streets and approval to a programme for the use of additional funding allocated to Local Authorities by the Department for Transport (DfT) for repairing local roads damaged by the recent severe weather. The maintenance of highways was the Council’s statutory duty under the Highways Act 1980 (as amended). 

In his Budget Statement on 19 March 2014 the Chancellor of the Exchequer had announced an additional dedicated fund to provide for essential maintenance to help repair damage to the local road network caused by the severe weather.  The Council had been allocated £364,447 from that fund.  The Cabinet noted that it was a requirement of the DfT that this additional expenditure was detailed on the Council’s website by the end of April 2014. 

The report also sought authority for the Cabinet Portfolio Holder, in consultation with Group Spokespersons, to approve the detailed programme for utilising the funding.

Attached to the report at Appendix 1 was the Proposed Capital Bid Programme 2014/15 and attached to the report at Appendix 2 was the terms and Conditions for the Severe Weather Funding.

Councillor Phil Davies informed that he welcomed the additional funding to improve and maintain unclassified roads.  The four Constituency Committees had assigned their priorities in respect of the work to be done.  Councillor Phil Davies told the Cabinet that he was keen to devolve, through the Localism Agenda, as many responsibilities as possible to these Committees.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the Capital Programme for Preventative Maintenance to Unclassified Roads and Residential Streets 2014/15 (as detailed in Appendix 1) be approved;

(2)  the Strategic Director - Regeneration and Environment be authorised to approve; in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation and Group Spokespersons, necessary adjustments to the priorities within the Capital Programme should the need arise due to financial, condition or other factors;

(3)  the acceptance of the Severe Weather Recovery Grant of £364,447 on behalf of the Council by the Section 151 Officer be noted; and

(4)  the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation approve in consultation with the Group Spokespersons a Programme of Highway Maintenance Schemes to be funded from the Severe Weather Recovery Grant.