Review of Strategic Highway Policies and Asset Management Plans

Committee report · Lead Member for Transport and Environment · Mon 8 Sep 2025 · East Sussex County Council

What it recommends

In the report's own words. A recommendation is a proposal: the meeting can agree, change or reject it.

“Note the outcomes of the strategic review process.”
“Approve the revised versions of the: a) Highways Asset Management Policy as set out at Appendix 3; b) Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Strategy as set out at Appendix 4; c) Highway Network Resilience Plan as set out at Appendix 8; d) Highways Drainage Asset Management Policy as set out in Appendix 5; and e) Drainage Asset Management Plan (DAMP) as set out at Appendix 6.”
“Approve the implementation of new policies: a) Commuted Sums Policy and Guidance Note as set out at.”

What the meeting decided

The minutes record: Agreed. “RESOLVED to: (1) Note the outcomes of the strategic review process; (2) Approve the revised versions of the: a) Highways Asset Management Policy as set out at Appendix 3 of the report; b) Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Strategy as set out at Appendix 4 of the report; c) Highway Network Resilience Plan as set out at Appendix 8 of the report; d) Highways Drainage Asset Management Policy as set out in Appendix 5 of the report; and e) Drainage Asset Management Plan (DAMP) as set out at Appendix 6 of the…” minutes ↗

In plain English

Each sentence was checked against the passage it cites; how the checking works.

Recommended · This went to the meeting on Mon 8 Sep 2025. What was decided is in that meeting's minutes.

Officers recommended that the Lead Member for Transport and Environment note the outcomes of a review of East Sussex County Council's strategic highway policies and asset management plans. p5 p6

The review covered the Highways Asset Management Policy, Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Strategy, Highway Network Resilience Plan, Highways Drainage Asset Management Policy and Drainage Asset Management Plan. p8 p9 p10 p11 p12

Officers also recommended approving two new policies: a Commuted Sums Policy and Guidance Note, and a Winter Service Policy. p14 p15

The report said no additional funding was required, with the changes to be delivered within existing budgets and staffing resources. p18 p23

Show the 11 passages this is based on

p5RECOMMENDATIONS: The Lead Member is recommended to:
p6(1) Note the outcomes of the strategic review process
p8a) Highways Asset Management Policy as set out at Appendix 3;
p9b) Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Strategy as set out at Appendix 4;
p10c) Highway Network Resilience Plan as set out at Appendix 8;
p11d) Highways Drainage Asset Management Policy as set out in Appendix 5; and
p12e) Drainage Asset Management Plan (DAMP) as set out at Appendix 6;
p14a) Commuted Sums Policy and Guidance Note as set out at Appendices 9 and 10; and
p15b) Winter Service Policy as set out at Appendix 11
p18No additional funding is required and maintaining Band 3 status under the DfT Incentive Fund will continue to secure the maximum level of highways funding available to the Council. 1.6. In practical terms, these changes mean better prioritisation of maintenance works, stronger planning for severe weather, improved drainage management to reduce flooding, and clearer communication with residents and Councillors about how decisions are made. 2. Supporting Information Element 1: Revisions to the Asset Management Policy and Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Strategy 2.1. Summary of Formatting Enhancements – These formatting refinements collectively aim to make the documents more user-friendly for Council Members, operational teams, and the public, promoting improved understanding, consistent implementation, and transparent governance. To enhance the usability and professionalism of the strategic highway documents, the following formatting changes have been implemented: · Consistent Document Structure : All documents now follow a standard format with clearly defined sections, headings, and subheadings. This consistent structure improves navigation and enables users to locate information quickly and intuitively. · Unified Terminology and Style : Terminology and acronyms have been standardised across all documents to avoid confusion and maintain a professional tone. · Improved Referencing and Cross-Referencing: Citations of legislation, standards (including ISO 55000), and internal documents have been updated and formatted uniformly. Cross-references within and between documents have been added or improved to reinforce coherence and ease of use.
p233. Conclusion and Reasons for Recommendations 3.1. This scheduled review forms part of the Council’s planned cycle of strategic document updates. It builds on the established and effective framework provided by the existing strategic highway policies and asset management plans, ensuring they remain fit for purpose and aligned with current legislation, national guidance and recognised best practice. The review is a proactive measure to maintain clarity, consistency, and transparency in the Council’s approach. 3.2. Approval of the revised documents and new targeted policies will: · Maintain the Council’s DfT Incentive Fund Band 3 status, securing the highest level of funding available. · Provide clear, documented frameworks for decision-making, complementing the robust approaches already in place. · Strengthen planning for severe weather, enhance drainage management, and ensure investment priorities are based on risk and whole-life value. · Formalise a consistent, transparent approach to developer contributions through the Commuted Sums Policy; and · Establish a clear basis for responding to future winter service network requests without altering existing agreed routes, ensuring continuity while improving clarity. 3.3. These updates will not reduce service levels or change existing commitments, and no additional funding is required. They have been developed entirely within existing budgets and staffing resources and are designed to strengthen the Council’s asset management approach, improve operational practicality, and provide greater transparency for Members, staff and the public. 3.4. The revisions and new policies reflect developments in legislation, national guidance, and asset management practice, and have been informed by benchmarking with other high-performing authorities and the Council’s own advancements in asset management maturity.

Places and organisations it names

East Sussex County Council

Other papers for this meeting

Lead Member for Transport and Environment agenda · Committee agenda
Appendix 1, Lead Member for Transport and Environment · Committee report
Appendix 1, Lead Member for Transport and Environment · Committee report
Appendix 1, Lead Member for Transport and Environment · Committee report
Appendix 2, Lead Member for Transport and Environment · Committee report
Appendix 2, Lead Member for Transport and Environment · Committee report
Appendix 3, Lead Member for Transport and Environment · Committee report
Appendix 4, Lead Member for Transport and Environment · Committee report
Appendix 5, Lead Member for Transport and Environment · Committee report
Decisions made by the Lead Cabinet Member on 16 June 2025 · Committee report
East Sussex Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) - Funding Request Assessment Process · Committee report
Highway Maintenance Incentive Funding 2025/26 · Committee report
Petition to stop Stagecoach changing the 51 bus service to Eastbourne from half hourly to hourly · Committee report
Lead Member for Transport and Environment minutes · Committee minutes

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