Option 30 Report

Appendix D: Overview of Risks and Issues

As part of developing the methodology potential risks and issues associated with each of the headings were identified and are outlined below:

Social and Economic Wellbeing

  • Dilution or loss of local focus
  • Lower quality of life for people and communities
  • There is not a well-maintained road network to access services, business and new opportunities
  • Poor maintenance and management results in a less safe road network

Affordability

  • Set-up costs higher than anticipated
  • Loss of financial control on the revenue costs results in service cuts
  • Anticipated efficiencies are not achievable

Accountability

  • New governance structures do not deliver local democratic accountability
  • New service arrangements do not facilitate interaction with the public
  • Reporting arrangements do not provide transparency and adequate performance review

Implementation

  • Unforeseen legislative barriers prohibit implementation
  • Inability to agree transition management functions delays implementation
  • Disruption to service due to inability to change existing arrangements for employees and contractors in a realistic timeframe
  • Reduction in service delivery during transition results in reputational damage

Ability to Deliver

  • Lack of collaborative working results in the inability to provide an improved roads service
  • One partner to consortia/joint working withdraws and results in new service e.g. shared not being viable
  • Loss of expertise in roads as a result of new arrangements resulting in a skills shortage
  • New operational/management arrangements result in an inability to respond and deliver timeously for road network needs

Sustainability

  • Loss of a critical mass of resources results in a less sustainable service delivery and a loss of strategic & local knowledge
  • Loss of key specialists during reorganisation reduces resilience of service provision
  • Inadequate training & career development opportunities results in a loss of expertise, skills and capability
  • New arrangements do not implement environmentally sustainable behaviours

Public Sector Reform

  • New arrangements do not meet the agenda of new political administrations
  • Lack of fit with other public sector organisations or stakeholders results in poor integration with wider public sector reform