West Berkshire Council has established a new Highways Improvements Group (HIG) to help ensure local knowledge and community concerns play a stronger role in shaping highways priorities across the district.

The new advisory group will provide elected member oversight, input and recommendations on the prioritisation and development of highways improvement activities. It has been created to strengthen collaboration between councillors and highways officers, support transparent decision-making and provide the Portfolio Holder with a balanced, cross-party perspective before key highways matters move through the Council’s formal decision-making processes.

The Highways Improvements Group will consider a range of highways-related matters, including petition responses, the annual Highways Improvement Programme, the annual Network Management Programme, the annual Winter Service Plan, relevant ad-hoc network management requests, the Peer Review Action Plan and highways term contract performance.

The Group will comprise five elected members representing all political parties, supported by highways officers who will provide technical, professional and procedural advice. Named substitutes will also be appointed for each elected member. While the Group will not have formal decision-making powers, its recommendations will help inform decisions taken by the Executive Member for Highways and Environment.

A key feature of the new arrangements is the opportunity for public involvement. Members of the public will be able to attend meetings and submit questions to the Group. Questions must be received no later than 10 days before each meeting and will be discussed by the Group, with a written response provided within five working days of the meeting.

These arrangements are designed to ensure that residents, communities and local representatives have a clear and transparent route to raise highways matters and contribute to discussions about local priorities.

Councillor Stuart Gourley, Executive Member for Environment and Highways  said: “The Highways Improvements Group is an important step in making sure local knowledge and community concerns play a stronger role in shaping our highways priorities.

“This new group will help ensure greater transparency around how highways improvements are prioritised, while providing a clear route for residents and communities to raise concerns and questions. Ultimately, it will support better informed decision-making and help us focus our resources where they can make the biggest difference across West Berkshire.”

The first meeting of the Highways Improvements Group will take place on 6 October at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber at Market Street. Meetings will then be held every two months. Questions can be submitted by emailing executivecycle@westberks.gov.uk.