Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Operations is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Operations presented a report seeking approval of the Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP) as a developing policy document. Cabinet was informed that the Government has announced that 25% of the £500m UK Local Highway Maintenance Fund for 2025/26 is contingent on authorities demonstrating adoption of best?practice asset management, supported by the publication of a local highway maintenance transparency report.

Members were advised that Bury’s highway assets, valued at approximately £1.2 billion, represent the Council’s most valuable infrastructure and require a structured, evidence?based approach to maintenance to ensure that investment is targeted efficiently and effectively. The HAMP formalises this approach and sets out the Council’s framework for preventative, planned, and reactive maintenance, drawing on national codes of practice and data?driven assessment techniques.

The report highlighted the importance of maintaining an appropriate balance of structural, preventative, and reactive maintenance to remain eligible for incentive?based funding. Cabinet noted that the Council has already submitted the required transparency information to the Department for Transport and continues to embed asset?management principles into operational practice.

The accompanying Appendix detailed the methodology, financial context, lifecycle planning, and operational practices that underpin the HAMP, including the valuation and composition of the network, the use of UKPMS?accredited surveys, SCRIM testing, footway condition surveys, and structured inspection regimes for lighting, structures, drainage and soft?landscape assets.

It was noted that failure to approve the HAMP could jeopardise eligibility for future incentive?based capital funding, while approval would strengthen compliance with statutory duties under the Highways Act 1980 and support financial sustainability.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    approved the Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP) as a developing policy.

Reason for the Decision:

To formalise the Council’s asset?management approach, ensure compliance with Government requirements, protect future capital funding allocations, and support the long?term, efficient management of the borough’s £1.2bn highway asset base.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

To not approve the HAMP.