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Newsletter - Local Transport Update July 2009

This is the first of a series of updates that the DfT plans to send out to senior officers and portfolio holders in Local Transport Authorities quarterly. It aims to give a helpful summary and overview of transport issues most relevant to local authorities, with signposts to further information.  We know that you already work closely with your local Government Office but we hope this newsletter will further improve our engagement with you. We would welcome your feedback on this newsletter and approach (see below).

News in Brief……….

Bidding rounds and consultations 

Local Transport Plans: greater local flexibility

Today we are publishing revised guidance for Local Transport Plans (LTPs).  The new guidance gives much greater local flexibility, so that the plan should be truly your management tool, not a bidding document to central government. Government Offices will chair an annual conversation with authorities to reach an agreed view on LTP progress to date and priorities for further action. This will form part of the evidence available to the Audit Commission.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/ltp/

Improving efficiency and services

All authorities will be focussing on measures to improve efficiency and delivery. There are already a number of tools and initiatives to help local authorities get the best value for money from their transport networks and assets, as well as helping them to develop the best possible local transport systems for their areas;

  • The Policy and Best Practice Handbook (www.dft.gov.uk/ltp) issued alongside LTP Guidance is a comprehensive index of existing best practice guidance.
  • We are providing £32 m of funding to support local authorities derive savings from maintaining their highways network through better asset management planning.  CIPFA has identified that 5 % efficiencies can be found through better asset management planning.
  • A number of authorities are also driving savings from shared procurement of highway maintenance – this is one of the areas where we have invited RIEP bids for transport projects. RIEPS have submitted proposals on subjects ranging from transport asset management planning and highways procurement frameworks to better use of natural resources and joining up transport with spatial planning. We expect to make funding available to RIEPS by the end of this month.
  • Recently, we introduced new legislation to help local authorities increase the number of people using buses in their area. The Local Transport Act 2008 gives local leaders the stronger powers and control over bus services that they told us they needed to improve how local transport is provided locally. www.dft.gov.uk/localtransportact

Developing future strategy

In spite of the current economic climate, it is right to be planning for the future. We want to build a shared vision with our local and regional partners on transport. We have set out and consulted on national transport goals within 'Delivering a Sustainable Transport System' (DaSTS) http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/transportstrategy/dasts/ and are working with you to apply this at the regional and local level. Each region has now submitted its DaSTS work programme to the Department and we will aim to respond to regions on their identified priorities and proposals for study work by the end of the month. Over the summer, the DfT will require regions to develop a more detailed specification for the study proposals that are approved, in discussion with the Department, ensuring that there is sufficient clarity over how the proposed studies map to the regional challenges. We are also finalising the draft ‘Guidance to Regions on DaSTS’ for publication next week.

Improving engagement

Over the last year, we have been working with the LGA, CSS and PTEG to identify ways in which DfT might improve its engagement with local government. This newsletter is part of that, but a range of other actions are in hand. We are particularly committed to improving how we work with local authorities on an individual basis, and we are dedicating time and resources to improving staff training, so that we develop consistently high quality links with local authorities right across the country.

 

We want to continue to improve the way we engage and communicate, including via this newsletter and the Government Office. We would very much welcome your feedback on how best we can do this and what you want to hear from us. Please email your views to: LT.PLANS@dft.gsi.gov.uk