- Purpose statement
- Who the policy applies to
- Policy context
- Approval process
- Links to council visions and strategies
- The policy
- How to use this policy
- Enforcement and sanctions
- Continuous improvement
1. Purpose statement
1.1.1. Leeds City Council recognises the importance of its highway infrastructure and how an effectively maintained and managed network contributes to the local economy and in achieving its corporate goals. The council understand that effective Highway Asset Management is a platform to deliver clarity around standards and levels of service, and to make best use of available resources.
1.1.2. This policy confirms the council’s commitment and demonstrates how the continuation of this Highway Asset Management approach aligns with the authority’s long-term ‘Best City’ ambition for Leeds to be the best city in the UK through the Best Council Plan (2020 to 2025) and our strategic priorities.
1.1.3. Under the context of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the associated regional and city centric transportation strategies and the new structure for transport fund settlements within this region, Highway Asset Management will continue to provide a pivotal approach to enable the council to substantiate the planning of budget allocations by demonstrating the effects of under-investment and how, through efficient planning of funding and strategic investment, we can meet industry standards and ensure a safe and serviceable highway network for all users.
2. Who the policy applies to
2.1.1. This policy is applicable to all public highway infrastructure managed and maintained by the council in accordance with the Highways Act 1980.
2.1.2. This policy is applicable to all who represent the council in any capacity, including representing the council as Elected Members or persons or organisations under the direct or indirect employment of the council as Highway Authority within the city region, that involves maintenance of highway infrastructure maintained at the public expense.
2.1.3. This policy will be implemented in accordance with the shared values and behaviours of the council that helps everyone be their best through;
- being open, honest and trusted;
- treating people fairly;
- spending money wisely;
- working as a team for Leeds and;
- working will all communities.
3. Policy context
3.1.1. This policy has been prepared in accordance with the Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme (HMEP) UK Roads Liaison Group Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Guidance.
3.1.2. The policy forms part of the Leeds City Council Highway Infrastructure Asset Management (HIAM) Planning stages and aligns with the Yorkshire Highways Alliance Framework under which all HIAM activities are both planned and co-ordinated.
4. Approval process
4.1.1. This policy requires Executive Member approval.
5. Links to council visions and strategies
5.1.1. This policy has been prepared in accordance with the Leeds City Council: Best Council Plan 2020 to 2025, supporting the ‘Best City’ priorities to deliver the ambition of establishing a Strong Economy and a Compassionate City through the ‘Best Council’ culture of an Efficient, Enterprising and Healthy Organisation alongside the Climate Emergency declaration.
5.1.2. Aligning and supporting the following ‘Best City’ priorities, the policy will form an integral part of the delivery of the highway service that the council provides by embedding the principals of Highway Asset Management into the management and maintenance of the council’s highways assets to.
Inclusive Growth
5.1.3. Ensure that management and maintenance of the highway network asset supports the development and regeneration of places, supports neighbourhoods, communities and centres to respond to economic change and supports the growth of the city centre as an economic powerhouse for Leeds and the north.
Health and Wellbeing
5.1.4. Maintain the condition of the highway network to a serviceable state and standard that promotes healthy lifestyle activities, supports the move to active travel opportunities and contributes to both physical and mental well-being.
Sustainable infrastructure
5.1.5. Support the priorities from the council’s 2019 climate emergency declaration and the ambition to work towards being a net zero carbon city by 2030, together with improvements for transport connections and improvements to the resilience of the city’s infrastructure and the natural environment from the risks from future climate change.
5.1.6. During the preparation of this policy document due consideration has also been given to the following key council strategies:
- Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy
- Leeds City Region Strategic Economic Plan
- Leeds Health and Wellbeing Strategy
- Leeds Better Lives Strategy
- Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy
- Leeds Mental Health Strategy
- Leeds Transport Strategy (Connecting Leeds Travel Strategy)
- Leeds Local Flood Risk Management Strategy
- West Yorkshire Low Emissions Strategy
- West Yorkshire Transport Strategy (2040)
- Transport for the North Strategic Transport Plan
- Climate Emergency Declaration (2019)
6. The policy
6.1.1. The council will ensure that the principles of Highway Asset Management are embedded in the delivery of our highways services and the maintenance and improvement of the network through:
- Adherence to the relevant statutory requirements for the service;
- Implementing a risk-based approach to reactive and planned maintenance activities in accordance with national guidelines and Codes of Practice;
- The identification of critical assets and the management and maintenance of an associated resilient network within the City region and across the boundaries of our neighbouring West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) councils;
- Adopting a whole life cost approach to effectively manage and maintain assets and promoting preventative programmes of work;
- Minimising the environmental impact of the maintenance service and in-build decisions that promote sustainability that support the local and regional climate pledges and commitments as a net zero carbon council by 2030 and supporting sustainable transport alternatives;
- Maintaining effective communications with stakeholders and customers and promoting digital inclusion;
- Collecting and validating asset condition data to support maintenance investment decisions;
- Maintaining the council’s commitment to preparing Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) auditable responses and records to demonstrate transparency on funding decision-making;
- Providing evidence for future programming and investment decisions for Senior Officers and Executive Members based on the principals of Highway Infrastructure Asset Management;
7. How to use this policy
7.1.1. Every key decision taken in managing and maintaining the council’s highway infrastructure assets needs to be able to demonstrate that it is making the very best use of the highway assets. Ensuring that a risk based, whole life value and customer focused approach to management and maintenance of these assets is applied supports this decision making process.
7.1.2. This policy provides a broad statement of the council’s commitment to the principles of Highway Infrastructure Asset Management and provides the principles of the associated Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Strategy (HIAMS) and Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Plan (HIAMP).
8. Enforcement and sanctions
8.1.1. Non-compliance with this policy may leave the council in a position where it is not able to discharge its statutory duty to maintain the highway infrastructure assets in accordance with the corporate priorities and statutory legislation and guidance.
9. Continuous improvement
9.1.1. The policy will be subject to review to cover any changes, amendments or additions to the council’s corporate priorities or the change of national legislation and sector or industry guidance on the delivery of highway infrastructure asset management services.
9.1.2. The policy review period will not exceed a period of five years from the date at which the Executive Member has approved the decision.
