With the Department for Transport inviting chief executives to consider ways that they can transform highways services, the scope for savings in the sector are under the spotlight like never before.
A letter that's gone out to the heads of councils from Norman Baker, the minister for local transport and highways, calls on them to "drive change from the top". He highlights the prize of shaving up to 25% of the £4bn per year expenditure off budgets while still providing exactly the same service.
Many authorities are considering an evolutionary approach to improving services. But all eyes will be on the major transformation programmes being launched in authorities such as Cheshire East and Kensington & Chelsea/Hammersmith & Fulham to find out what dividend is paid by the investment required for change.
And directors and heads of service are heading to the Future of Local Transport Delivery roadshow in Oldham this week to hear what lessons can be learned from the joint ventures that have been delivering services in the North West of England. New models like this have transformed the way that clients and providers work together.
It will be interesting to hear how they can continue to build on what has been achieved as they move forward, and what lessons there are for other authorities.
The Efficiency Network is the next step in Local Transport Today's campaign to bring our extensive network of professionals the essential business intelligence required to deliver more with less.
