Partnering in the provision of a highway management system

Abstract

The concepts of best value and best value performance plans have required a thorough review of the aims and objectives of management and the way in which local authorities provide service to the customer. The need for these reviews has applied not only to the local authorities but also to the private sector who provide them with many of the goods and services. With this in mind Devon County Council reviewed the provision of software support for highway maintenance management and concluded that best value could be achieved by entering into a partnership with the private sector. The objective of the partnership is to deliver an improved and cost-effective highway management system to the people of Devon by taking advantage of the latest developments in computer software and computer technology. The partnership was established in June 1999 and has now completed its second year. This paper describes how the partnership was established, lists the objectives set by each party at the outset, explains how it is managed and presents details of its achievements