1. Highways and Engineering Savings and Efficiencies Review November 2010

2. Background and Context There is a need for major reductions in public sector spending The Council must deliver savings of at least £65m over the next four years and £22m in 2011/12 A full programme of service reviews is taking place across the Council Highways and Engineering is one service area within Environmental Services under review

3. Overview Highways and Engineering is financed by a cocktail of funding which will reduce over the next few years: –£2.523m reduction in revenue funding –£4.120m reduction in capital funding –£0.336m reduction in income –£3.500m end of Transport Infrastructure Funding The full impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review published in October is not yet known

4. Consultation Process with External Stakeholders Consultation ran from 1 September to 15 October 2010 Emails and letters were sent to identified stakeholders Face to face meetings with stakeholders Consultation webpage detailing proposals Online questionnaire (paper copies were also available) Dedicated email address for comments and suggestions Press release to local media and article in Bolton Scene

5. Key Issues Raised from Stakeholders ‘The technical nature of the report makes it difficult for service users to appreciate what the proposals mean for them’ –A presentation was added to the website explaining what the proposals would mean to service users ‘Any deterioration in street lighting would result in an increase in perceived fear of crime’ –A significant amount of work has already been undertaken by Bolton Council as part of the BeSafe Partnership to improve lighting schemes in areas throughout Bolton ‘The impact of a deteriorating road network on safety and the potential risk of damage to vehicles’ –The decrease in the budget to deal with urgent repairs is minimal

6. Key Issues Raised from Stakeholders ‘Deterioration of the public right of way network would negatively impact on people’s wellbeing and access to free exercise’ –The Public Rights of Way service will not cease but will be provided through a different service delivery model ‘Concerns that footpaths and roads will not be gritted adequately’ –The decrease in the winter maintenance budget is minimal ‘Reduced ability to respond to customers and hence delays to road repairs’ –Management acknowledge that there will be a need to manage expectations and to communicate this effectively with customers

7. Changes in Response to Consultation and Negotiations One additional operational post will be put back into the new structure for 12 months on priority highway works Two Highway Inspector posts will be put back into the new structure Customer Services staff in Parking Services will be ‘slotted in’ to the new structure

8. What does this mean for Customers? Changes to the way in which services are delivered: –Multi-functional teams rather than specialist areas –Reduced frequency of inspections –Longer repair timescales –Focus on urgent repairs instead of improvement schemes Revised levels of service are in line with statutory duties and codes of practice The management team will carefully manage and review the implementation of the new structure

9. For further details visit www.bolton.gov.uk/highways www.bolton.gov.uk/highways