Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Accepted
PAS 2161 data standard implementation will be voluntary until 2026-27 for local authorities.
Conclusion
The Department confirmed that it had recently released the standard in September 2024 so that local authorities can use it from 2025–26 on a voluntary basis. The Department told us that it will not make its usage mandatory until the following year, 2026–27. This additional time is to allow 18 C&AG’s Report, para 8 and Figure 6 19 Qq 10, 22, 24, 59 20 Q 59; C&AG’s Report, Figure 10 21 Qq 6, 11- 13 22 Qq 6, 18 23 Qq 6, 11-14 11 local authorities to prepare for the new standard as well as enable the Department to conduct data comparisons as it pilots different technologies for recording road conditions. 24
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation regarding the new standard and is considering what additional data to collect for local highway networks. They have begun engagement with MHCLG to make the new PAS 2161 reporting requirements mandatory in England.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 2.2 The department is considering what additional data it needs to collect to gain a greater understanding of the condition of the local highway network, and how this maps onto the structures that are being set up to allow further devolution. As this work progresses the department will, as is usual, engage with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local government to make the case for obtaining this data. 2.3 An example of this is that the department collaborated with local government to change the annual road condition reporting requirements, producing the new British Standard for Road Condition Monitoring (PAS 2161). The department has now begun engagement with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to change the single data list, to introduce the new reporting requirements against PAS 2161 as a mandatory requirement in England. 2.4 Another example of this is that the department is exploring how the aforementioned outcomes frameworks underpinning the integrated settlement can leverage greater data- sharing (as part of six-monthly reporting) between Mayoral Combined Authorities and the department on top of indicators with attached targets.