Partnering in the provision of a highway management system

The concepts of best value and best value performance plans have required a thorough review of the aims and objectives of management and the way in wh ich local authorities provide service to the customer. The need for these r eviews has applied not only to the local authorities but also to the privat e sector who provide them with many of the goods and services. With this in mind Devon County Council reviewed the provision of software support for h ighway maintenance management and concluded that best value could be achiev ed by entering into a partnership with the private sector. The objective of the partnership is to deliver an improved and cost-effective highway manag ement system to the people of Devon by taking advantage of the latest devel opments in computer software and computer technology. The partnership was e stablished in June 1999 and has now completed its second year. This paper d escribes how the partnership was established, lists the objectives set by e ach party at the outset, explains how it is managed and presents details of its achievements.