Highways Maintenance in England Local Spending 2022-11-24
2022-11-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Last year, £500 million allocated to local authorities in England for highway maintenance was not spent on that purpose.
If the Government will take steps to prevent local authorities from spending money allocated for local highways maintenance on other purposes. A lot of the £500 million allocated last year to local authorities in England for highway maintenance was not spent on highway maintenance, so it was effectively a fraud on taxpayers. Will my hon. Friend please ensure that next year, allocations are made contingent upon showing last year's allocation was spent on highways?
Local highways maintenance is a critical service provided by local authorities. A central highways maintenance fund has an incentive element to drive best practice, but overriding local leaders would be counterproductive as they have the best understanding of local needs. This approach aligns with the wider Government funding framework led by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment on future allocations contingent upon proper use of previous funding
It Would Be Counterproductive
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Local authorities were criticized for not spending allocated funds on highway maintenance.
Is that not a rather complacent response? A lot of the £500 million allocated last year to local authorities in England for highway maintenance was not spent on highway maintenance, so it was effectively a fraud on taxpayers. Will my hon. Friend please ensure that next year, the allocations of money to highway authorities are made contingent upon them showing that last year's allocation was spent on highways?
Local highways maintenance is a critical service provided by local authorities. A central highways maintenance fund has an incentive element to drive best practice, but overriding local leaders would be counterproductive as they have the best understanding of local needs. This approach aligns with the wider Government funding framework led by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment on future allocations contingent upon proper use of previous funding
It Would Be Counterproductive
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about road safety representation and the importance of flexibility in local budgets.
Does the Minister not agree that flexibility in budgets is important? At the moment, many of us are worried about lack of representation on road safety issues. Could local authorities with some of this extra cash be encouraged to take road safety more seriously?
Flexibility is important for local need, which is why local authorities are the decision makers in this area. If local people do not like what local authorities are doing, they can make a change at the ballot box.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment on encouraging focus on road safety
Response accuracy