ROADS Services Training Group
LOCAL AUTHORITY ROADS CONFERENCE 2013
HODSON BAY HOTEL, ATHLONE, MAY 2013.
1
Our Roads - Planning for the
Future/Role in National and Local
Development
Value for Money for Delivery of Services &
Concept of Shared Services
Ray O’Dwyer
Senior Responsible Officer
LGER Programme Management Office
Focus of presentation

Overview: How the sector is delivering value for money
through implementation of the reform agenda

Shared Service Programme

Focus on: Road Management System SS

Transition to Irish Water and implications for roads
infrastructure

Discussions & Questions
Overview – Delivering value for
money through reform agenda
Shared Service Programme

32 Projects split between:

Transactional Shared Services;

Centres of Excellence;

Shared Technology and Enablers;

Shared Procurement.
Shared service programme (2)
Our early wins! LA National Procurement Office in place, €109m procurement
efficiency savings achieved 2010 - 2012….
Shared service programme (3)
And more early wins…
FixYourStreet rolled out across the sector
 Library Service Procurement project introduced 2012,
achieving savings for participating LAs and a model for others
to use.
 Payroll at design phase, design phase progressing with 7 LAs
on board
 Treasury Management at design phase
Plus, significant savings expected to be achieved through delivery
of the full SS programme as outlined in next slide…….

Shared service programme (4)
Expected Annual Savings for Shared Service Projects once implemented
Context

Regional and Local Roads are managed by Local Authorities with funding
provided from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) and
from their own resources

Funding has reduced year-on-year since 2008

2013 will see the introduction of a Pavement Management System using the
Maproad software system developed in conjunction with the DTTAS and the
LGMA

2013 will also see the rollout of LicenceIT an online system for road opening
applications

These developments and a recent value for money audit highlight the
requirement for an overarching Road Management System for our Regional
and Local Roads
Focus on:
Road Management System SS (1)
The Business Problem



Lack of standardization across the sector
Management Information
Resources, and the requirement to “do more with less”
The Question: Could a map-based roads management system be implemented in the
local government sector in a coordinated or shared (services) basis, focusing on these
priority areas:



Pavement Management System.
Road Opening Licenses (incl Abnormal Loads permits).
Speed Limits
Focus on:
Road Management System SS (2)
The Opportunity
Certain elements of road service provision require local management consideration, discretion, and
management, while other elements lend themselves to a form of shared service. BOTH need support.
The purpose of the proposed Solution is to:
 Introduce road management system processes and technologies into local government roads
services;
 Adopt a multi-agency approach including MapRoad;
 Ensure a consistent and managed approach to PMS;
 Provide an evidence based approach to support the allocation of funds;
 Support the integration of road management systems over time;
 Support licensing, including utilities;
 Reduce costs, improve efficiencies, enhance customer service standards, standardisation of policy,
processes and procedures;
 Support pavement management financing and funding, to include expenditure, grants, audits etc;
 Facilitate roads reporting on national / regional / local basis..
Focus on:
Road Management System SS (3)
The implications of not initiating the project:

The sector would continue to attempt to sustain predominantly
manual and non-integrated road licensing and PMS processes at
a local level, losing economy of scale and increasing labour and
ancillary costs

A single integrated road management system should be capable
of delivering a better service at reduced cost to the local
authority, and would release Local Authority staff resources to
focus on more important and value-added tasks.
Focus on:
Road Management System SS (4)
Next steps?
The business case is due to be completed and Peer Reviewed by
end of May.
It will be considered by the Oversight Group in June, and proceed
(if approved) to implementation.
Transition to Irish Water:
What has been decided?
The Irish Government made a decision to establish
a water utility for the delivery of water services.
 Irish Water to be established as subsidiary of An Bord
Gais, as a semi-state company.
 Legislation has been enacted to establish Irish Water as
an entity.
 All Assets /liabilities and Risks to transfer from LAs to
IW.
 Legislation will permit SLAs between LG Sector and
IW.
 Bi Location Water Service Transition Office established
– Dublin & Waterford City.

Transition to Irish Water (2)
Who’s doing what, when?
Transition to Irish Water (3)
Some key issues:
Three
beneficiaries of data collection – Local
Authorities, Local Government Sector, Irish Water.
Retention of assets – conveyance/ fencing activity
around water infrastructure sites.
BGE / Irish Water Target Operating Model Structure
– due in May.
Service Level Agreements – change in org / mindset
Regulation of Planning, forward planning,
development planning
Rural / private water supplies
Transition to Irish Water (4)
The Service Level Agreement will be guided by the following
principles:
Achieve a low risk transfer for Local Authorities, Irish Water
and customers for delivery of services;
Underpin collaborative relationships using a long-term,
equitable commercial footing;
Deliver benefits for customers through investment and change;
Provide a rewarding career for those on the Irish Water journey;
Meet stakeholders’ needs for high quality services, delivered by
a respected Irish Water brand.
Transition to Irish Water (5)
Focus on implications for roads/infrastructure:
Metering Project
Contracts are to be shortly awarded by BGE for installation of domestic meters
on a regional basis, with installation of boundary boxes to commence in July
2013. Through the IWCG (Irish Water Consultative Group) agreement has been
reached with the Unions regarding use of contractors for this work. WSTO have
been working with BGE on the following:
Metering
Communications Protocol- to cover notice requirements to
individual local authorities, call handling for public queries etc
Road
Opening Protocol- has been drafted by DECLG , is currently under
discussion with input from the CCMA and WSTO and final document being coordinated by the Dept of Transport, Tourism & Sport (DTTAS)...to ensure
public safety, scheduling of work to avoid events, peak times etc Once
finalised and agreed these protocols will be circulated to each DoS (Water)
Questions & Discussion?