Local Infrastructure

Department for Transport

Zone 2/14

Great Minster House

33 Horseferry Road

London

SW1P 4DR

Web Site:

14 April2016

Via email

Dear Mr Buxton,

Freedom of Information (FOI) Request - Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme (HMEP)

Thank you for your information request of 16 March 2016. You asked for the following information:

‘What is the total spend listed for each year for Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme since its inception?

Where can I also find:

Full and detailed spending of £500 and above for all projects, subprojects, work streams, work packages, programme costs (includingstaffing) within DfT's flagship Highways Maintenance EfficiencyProgramme (HMEP) since it started in 2011. This information is notreadily available in DfT's spend over £500’.

Your request has been considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I can confirm that the Department for Transport has now undertaken its search for the information. With regard to the total direct spending by year on the Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme since its inception, please see the figures below.

Outturn

  • FY 2011/12:£1,221,000
  • FY 2012/13:£2,122,000
  • FY 2013/14:£1,453,000
  • FY 2014/15:£1,059,000
  • FY 2015/16:£657,000 at time of responding, however the full year outturn spending for 15/16 has yet to be finalised.

Please note that DfT’s direct spending listed above on HMEP has taken the form of revenue grants or similar to a small number of Local Authorities and one learned society, who have carried out or have commissioned specialist work on behalf of the programme. The work undertaken was on the conditionthat it would potentially benefit the whole local highways maintenance sector and was authorised by the DfT’s Programme Office.

The HMEP Board has maintained oversight of the work undertaken by funding recipients through a series of project steering groups andthe DfT’s Programme Office.

In addition to the grants set out above, the DfT has two members of staff whose main duties are the programme management of HMEP.Over the period above the DfT staff have comprised:

70% of a Payband 6

90% of a Payband 5 (only in FY 11/12 to 13/14 inclusive) – but vacant June ‘13 to Jan ‘14

90% of a Payband 4 (only in FY 14/15 to 15/16) – but vacant Feb ‘15 to March ‘15

Based on the mean staff costs for the grades specified, which covers salary, employer’s National Insurance and Pension contribution, we have calculated the following annual staff costs based on the staffing levels indicated above:

  • FY 2011/12:£98,319
  • FY 2012/13:£99,212
  • FY 2013/14:£72,242
  • FY 2014/15:£88,499
  • FY 2015/16:£96,621

On the second part of your question, please note that because the spending is by way of grants to a number of local authorities, a detailed breakdown at the level requested is not held, butall elements are included in the information above.

In keeping with the spirit and effect of the Freedom of Information Act, all information is assumed to be releasable to the public unless exempt.A copy of this response and the information provided may now be published on the web-site, together with any related information that will provide a key to its wider context.

If you are unhappy with the way the Department has handled your request or with the decisions made in relation to your request you may complain within two calendar months of the date of this letter by writing to the Department’s FOI Advice Team at:

Zone D/04

Ashdown House

Sedlescombe Road North

Hastings

East Sussex TN37 7GA

E-mail:

Please send or copy any follow-up correspondence relating to this request to the FOI Advice Team to help ensure that it receives prompt attention.Please also remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Please see attached details of DfT’s complaints procedure and your right to complain to the Information Commissioner.

Yours sincerely,

Alexis Tregenza (Mr)

E-mail:

Tel. (020)7 944 4264

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