REVIEW OF HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT SERVICE DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS

1 The Executive Members have considered the outcome of a detailed review carried out by the Director of Environment into the area/headquarters structure for the highways and transport service delivery aspects of the department. The aim of the review was to evaluate how those functions could best be distributed between headquarters and area offices, having regard to efficiency and cost effectiveness of service delivery. Key objectives were:-

· To improve customer focus


· To improve integration of services


· To reduce overheads in terms of management, administration and office accommodation, with a savings target of £250,000 per annum.

2 At present the Highways and Transport Service employs some 445 staff, divided between headquarters and four main area offices. The review posed options ranging from greater concentration at headquarters to devolving more staff to area offices from two to eleven.

3 There was extensive consultation with staff, other local authorities, partners and stakeholders in order to establish the optimum way forward. In the light of responses, and the overriding need to secure the best possible efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery, the Executive Members decided to support the proposal to devolve additional functions to 4 area offices, grouping districts together as follows:-

· New Forest and Test Valley

· Basingstoke, Hart and Rushmoor

· Winchester and East Hampshire

· Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport and Havant

4 As district boundaries do not coincide with the transport strategy areas, there will be a pragmatic approach taken to minimise administrative costs while retaining a coherent policy approach. The way forward now agreed will support Aim 5 (Improving Services) of the Corporate Strategy by delivering integrated highways and transport services at a local level in the most efficient and effective manner.

JONATHAN GLEN

TIM KNIGHT

Executive Members for Environment

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