Agenda item

To consider a report on the operation of the Ward Member Budget Scheme (WMBS) and to determine how schemes are identified to ensure the scheme funds are used by 31 March 2027 to improve the highway asset in line with statutory duties.

Councillors M Muldoon and M Sewart left the meeting during consideration of this item and did not return.

The committee considered a report providing an update on the operation of the Ward Member Budget Scheme and seeking approval of a proposed approach to ensure that remaining funding is utilised within the final year of the scheme.

The committee noted that the scheme was introduced in 2023/24 as a four?year programme funded through the Local Transport Plan capital allocation, with the annual allocation per ward member remaining at £4,512. At the time of reporting, approximately 46% of the overall budget remained unallocated. Officers outlined a number of factors contributing to the underspend, including proposals falling outside agreed categories, insufficient funding for some schemes, delays in scheme development, and communication challenges between members and officers.

The report proposed that ward members finalise proposed schemes with Senior Highway Officers by 1 May 2026. Where no suitable schemes were agreed by that date, remaining funds would be pooled and allocated to highway asset priorities, with works identified and communicated to ward members by 1 June 2026, in order to ensure delivery by the end of the financial year and compliance with the Council’s statutory duties as highway authority.

Visiting Members Councillors L Buchanan and M Brooks, and members of the Committee raised concerns regarding delays in progressing schemes, changes to previously agreed proposals, capacity and staffing issues within the highways service, and inconsistent communication.

Members emphasised that delays were often outside the control of ward members and sought assurances that unspent budgets would continue to benefit the relevant ward, rather than being applied elsewhere in the Borough.

In response, officers acknowledged the frustrations expressed and confirmed that:

• enhanced communication and engagement arrangements would be implemented, including workshops and direct engagement with Senior Highway Officers;
• efforts would be made to ensure that expenditure continued to benefit the ward where agreement was not reached on the allocation of funds in line with the WMBS case studies by 1 May 2026;
• members would not be penalised where agreement, in line with the WMBS case study options, had not been reached through no fault of their own i.e. delayed communications from officers; and
• any funds remaining unspent at the end of the scheme on 31 March 2027) will be made available to the council to reduce its borrowing requirement for the Highways service where expenditure meets the conditions of the Local Transport Grant.

Members also discussed future arrangements beyond the current four?year scheme, noting that any continuation would be subject to future decisions and funding availability, and would have to be considered and approved by the new Combined Authority.

RESOLVED (By Majority)

That the Highways and Transport committee

1. Note the progress made to date on the operation of the Ward Member Budget Scheme.
2. Agree the recommended approach for finalising member proposals and allocating remaining scheme funding, as set out in the report.
3. Agree to delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Environment, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, to implement the recommended approach.

The meeting adjourned for a short break.

Item 5 - Notice of Motion – Traditional Directional Signs.

Following the break, the Committee returned to considering the Notice of Motion on Traditional Direction Signs.

The Chair invited Cllr Chadwick to propose his amendment, which was seconded by Cllr Burton.

Amendment

“To note with regard to street signs, that the Head of Highways will work with the cabinet member responsible to:

(i)             Consider a 12-month programme to:

a.    Assess/identify all notable traditional heritage related signs

b.    Record locations and condition

c.     Create a comprehensive asset register

(ii)            Review and identify an annual percentage for non-adopted signage for consideration as part of the Councils maintenance programme.

In addition, the Head of Highways will write to Town & Parish Councils to encourage local adoption of signs and provide guidance on maintenance and preservation”.

The amendment was accepted by the committee as a friendly amendment and therefore became part of the substantive motion to be considered by the committee.

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

That the Highways and Transport Committee:

1.    Note the position regarding how the Council prioritises maintenance of highway infrastructure set out in paragraphs 4 to 10 of the report.

2.    Approve the response to the Notice of Motion, set out in paragraphs11 to 18 of the report: and

3.    Note with regard to street signs, that the Head of Highways will work with the cabinet member responsible to:

                        I.         Consider a 12-month programme to:

a.    Assess/identify all notable traditional heritage related signs

b.    Record locations and condition

c.     Create a comprehensive asset register

                      II.         Review and identify an annual percentage for non-adopted signage for consideration as part of the Councils maintenance programme.

In addition, agree that the Head of Highways will write to Town & Parish Councils to encourage local adoption of signs and provide guidance on maintenance and preservation.