The Council's Local Transport Capital Settlement is announced by the Department for Transport and the Government Office for the North East in December each year. Funding is split between two block allocations - 'Structural Maintenance', which includes the maintenance of roads and bridges, and 'Integrated Transport', which covers a wide variety of measures including Local Safety Schemes, pedestrian crossing facilities, new cycleways and enhancements to bus routes.
Each of these individual projects, together with those funded by developers and other external bodies, forms part of the Council's annual Local Transport Capital Programme which, in 2007/08, comprises schemes valued at well over £4 million. The Capital Programme is approved by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport early in the calendar year to ensure that scheme delivery can commence at the start of the financial year in April.
As the delivery of the annual Capital Programme directly influences the Council's capital funding in future years, it is crucial that appropriate systems are in place to ensure that it is delivered effectively and efficiently.
Each scheme in the Capital Programme is assigned to a designated Project Officer, who is responsible for the delivery of the scheme, and a Project Engineer, who is responsible for its detailed design and implementation. The delivery of the Capital Programme is overseen by the Council's Local Transport Plan Manager, assisted by a dedicated Monitoring Officer. The Monitoring Officer ensures that the Project Officers and Project Engineers are completing the tasks required of them and speaks individually to all involved on a regular basis. In addition, the Local Transport Plan Manager, Monitoring Officer and the designated Project Officers meet every month in order to review progress against the overall Programme.
Should any scheme increase in cost (because of unforeseen technical difficulties, for example) or 'slip' against the planned delivery timescale (perhaps because of the need to resolve objections received during public consultation), the Capital Programme will need to be adjusted accordingly - the same principle also applies if schemes cost less than expected or are delivered early. Minor adjustments to the Programme require the approval of the Local Transport Plan Manager, whilst any major changes need Cabinet Member approval.
Over the years, the Council has developed an enviable reputation for effective scheme delivery. This was recognised nationally in 2005 by the award of 'Centre of Excellence' in Local Transport Delivery by the Department for Transport, and the Council is currently working in partnership with Durham County Council to develop a Centre of Excellence website designed to share good practice with other Local Authorities across the country.
