Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted
Many local authorities already collect more data, demonstrating willingness to report further.
Conclusion
The Department told us that it has to strike the balance between asking for more information and the increased burden of work for each local authority to provide that information, and that there are limits placed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. It acknowledged, however, that many local authorities already collect more data than required by the Department, which they use for their own operational purposes.27 In addition, the Department noted that when evaluating one of its funding pots, local authorities had expressed a willingness to provide more data.28 The Department told us that the increase in reporting the proportion of the road network that falls into the five new categories is broadly supported by local authorities, but will be subject to formal approval by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Department also confirmed that it is currently reviewing the broader requirements for local authority data collection on highway maintenance.29 24 Qq 6-8; Written evidence submitted by the Department for Transport dated 5 December 2024 ‘Local roads in England – PAS2161 Road Condition Monitoring Data Standard’ 25 Q 20 26 Qq 21, 26, 31 27 Qq 14, 18, 20-21, 23, 26, 31 28 Q 34 29 Written evidence submitted by the Department for Transport dated 05 December ‘Local roads in England – PAS2161 Road Condition Monitoring Data Standard’ 12 2 The Department’s funding to local authorities Complexity and short-term nature of funding arrangements
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation and is actively considering additional data needs, engaging with MHLG to make PAS 2161 reporting mandatory, and exploring data-sharing through outcomes frameworks.
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.