Decision details

Purpose of Report: To seek approval to implement the process required by the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) in its decision dated 19 May 2021. The LGO identified that some of the Council’s highway records (List of Streets and highway extent map) are not up to date. The LGO has therefore requested the following actions from the Council to update the records:
1. Complete a review of the Council’s road adoption system within three months of the Ombudsman’s decision (by 19th August 2021). The review should consider how it is kept up to date and accurate; and
2. Within one month of completing the review (by 19th September), report the findings to Councillors and seek approval for changes and recommendations.
The report seeks approval for officers to undertake a full update of the highway extent map, List of Streets, and Definitive Map in 2021/22, addressing all areas to be reviewed and update as appropriate.

The Executive will be asked to approve the proposed process and funding allocation to address the issues identified by the LGO with regard to the Council’s highway records (List of Streets and highway extent map).

Resolved:  (i)      That the actions taken to comply with the LGO’s requirements, including to undertake a full update of the highway extent map, List of Streets and Definitive Map in 2021/22 and 2022/23 addressing all areas to be reviewed and updated, be noted/

                   (ii)      That therefore approval be given to set up a small highway recording function within the Place Directorate, initially for a period of one year, funded through existing resources.

Reason:     To comply with the LGO’s requirements and meet the council’s statutory duties within an acceptable timescale.