The Insider: Martin Duffy discusses reorganisation in North Yorkshire

14/09/2021 | MARTIN DUFFY

Martin Duffy, chair of NYHighways, explains how North Yorkshire’s unitary council decision aims to strengthen highways provision in the area.

Things rarely remain static in local government as there is continuous pressure to deliver services that are more effective and efficient, which is what we hope to achieve through innovations in the highways sector.

Such reform is being driven by the Government as financial pressures become greater and demand for services increases.

One potential solution offered to local government is reorganisation, which looks to benefit from economies of scale while maintaining a strong focus on the communities it represents.

On 21 July, the Government announced a new unitary authority in North Yorkshire, a proposal put forward by the existing North Yorkshire County Council. This means one council delivering all local authority services, bringing together all the services currently delivered separately by district and borough councils.

But what does this mean for the area’s highways?

As chair of NYHighways, North Yorkshire CC’s new highways teckal, I see innovation and change as a positive step towards the future. The announcement is an opportunity to strengthen the highways provision for the region’s network of almost 5,800 miles of roads.

Nothing will change in the short term – the close relationship between the county council and NYHighways will continue to enable the operation to be efficient and effective, as well as to react quickly and flexibly to changes in these uncertain times.

In the long run, bringing North Yorkshire together will help the area to move forward with greater economies – and for NYHighways, this means we can proceed with increased sustainability, retain full control of the service and embed localism into everything we do.

Subsequently, this will allow for an opportunity for NYHighways to grow organically, returning dividends for the current county council as well as for the eventual new unitary council, while helping to fund local projects.

The importance of teamwork can never be understated – we are stronger together when we are working collaboratively with others in order to achieve a common goal in the most efficient and effective way.

Collaboration is key – as well as working closely with the council, we hope to develop other partnerships and work towards ISO 44001 certification, which will demonstrate that NYHighways’ business relationships are truly collaborative.

In addition, NYHighways will see some cultural change to empower our employees to do the right thing while allowing the business to be commercially aware.

Rather than setting quantitative targets, we hope to concentrate on a customer-focused approach so that the residents of North Yorkshire (and beyond) receive the high-quality service they expect from the county’s highways operation.

However, the key is getting the balance right between customer focus and commercial viability – I truly believe that performance is important, but it is not the master in this instance.

In conclusion, change may be on its way for the people of North Yorkshire, but in terms of the maintenance of their roads and highways, the positives certainly outweigh the negatives. 

They will see a service that prides itself on building further on effectiveness and efficiency, a collaborative approach and a customer-focused outlook; a service that delivers for the region and that is always striving to move forward rather than staying still in an ever-changing world.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Transport Planner

£47,532 - £50,574
Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Waste Recycling Operative

£25,584 to £27,269, Grade 5
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Waste Recycling Operative. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District Council

£30000 - £34000 per annum
Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District CouncilBraintree District CouncilPermanent, Full Time£30,313 to £34,612 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Cleansing Operative

£25,584.00 to £27,269.00, Grade 5
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Gully Operative

£25,584.00 to £27,269.00, Grade 5
Are you a hard-working looking for career in highway maintenance? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay award pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Highways Policy and Procedures Officer - WMF3011e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is an exciting opportunity to support the Asset Manager in developing policies and procedures Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW