The Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) recently caught up with Gregg Mulhern, Director at LADC Highways, to find out how LADC are empowering councils to fulfil their obligations and deliver quality highways services to their communities.
Read Gregg’s full interview below.
Q. Who are LADC Highways Limited?
LADC Highways are Local Authority Default-to-Adoption Section 38/278 Specialists, providing pathways for any party involved in default agreements to overcome obstacles, provide solutions and achieve excellence through compliance.
We are committed to providing value to all those we interact with upon being instructed by our clients. We combine the expertise of our Legal, Loss Assessor and Framework Partners to deliver value to our Partner Local Authorities, Developers and Residents alike.
Our core values of collaboration, client commitment and innovation drive our desire to provide the best possible outcomes for our clients as we utilise our procurement exempt, no cost solution to all Local Authorities who partner with us and deliver pioneering solutions to those we are instructed to engage with.
Q. How will LADC work with councils to help them deliver highways services?
A. At LADC Highways Ltd, our approach is founded on collaboration and expertise. We work closely with councils to address the challenges posed by unadopted roads and incomplete developments. Our specialised services aim to streamline the legal and commercial processes associated with Section 38/278 Agreements, ensuring the timely and efficient adoption of highways. By providing dedicated case management, communication support, and a nonintrusive protocol with developers, we empower councils to fulfil their obligations and deliver quality highways services to their communities.
Q. What are the biggest challenges facing the highways sector?
A. One of the largest challenges facing the highways sector is a lack of resource and budgetary constraints impacting on the timely adoption of roads (as highlighted by the CMA), funding constraints, and the need for streamlined legal processes. Unadopted roads can hinder residents’ access to essential services. LADC Highways Ltd addresses these challenges by offering a comprehensive solution that combines legal expertise, collaborative protocols, and innovative approaches to accelerate the adoption process and overcome financial constraints which arise in large part as resource planning presumes completion in timescales defined within agreements with no additional resources being available should this not occur.
Q. How much importance is put on innovation within your business and in what ways can it enable change?
A. Innovation is at the core of our business model. We leverage technological advancements and creative solutions to enhance the efficiency of adoption processes. Our collaborative approach incorporates innovative methods for communication, case management, and legal evaluation. By embracing innovation, we aim to expedite the resolution of Section 38/278 Agreements, improve communication with stakeholders, and ultimately drive positive change in the highways sector. Our model also includes a means for our partners to generate additional supervision fees which in the current climate of difficulties balancing budgets provides a route to much needed unbudgeted income for our partners.
Q. In what ways do you collaborate with local authorities and the wider supply chain?
A. Our collaboration with local authorities is built on transparency, trust, and effective communication. We actively engage with councils to understand their unique challenges and tailor our services to meet their specific needs. Additionally, we foster relationships with the wider supply chain, including developers and surety providers, to ensure a cohesive and cooperative approach. Through strategic partnerships, we create a network that facilitates the seamless resolution of outstanding obligations and promotes the adoption of roads, generating additional unbudgeted income and finding innovative terms for inclusion into agreements to encourage all parties to find mediative means to adoption.
Q. In terms of funding for roads, what do you think works well and what needs to be improved?
A. Funding for roads is a critical aspect of our work. Whist existing mechanisms such as ensuring a Section 38/278 Agreements is entered into and securing a bond to cover the cost of works as the legal framework work well, this could be improved is the mechanism for additional support to be given to Local Authorities given the austerity cuts and budgetary constraints placed upon Local Authorities which can place them at risk.
Adoption of roads can allow our Local Authority Partners more access to funding which is a key part of our role. Simultaneously, adoption of roads releases developers from long-standing bond overrun fees tied to such agreements, such that everyone benefits even if funding may be required from the developer or surety providers in the short term.
Q. How important is the role of LCRIG in driving change within the sector?
A. The Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) plays a pivotal role in driving positive change within the highways sector. As a collaborative platform, LCRIG facilitates knowledge-sharing, encourages best practices, and fosters innovation. Our engagement with LCRIG allows us to stay informed about industry developments, contribute to discussions, and actively participate in shaping the future of highways services. The collective efforts of organisations within LCRIG contribute to a more resilient, innovative, and responsive highways sector.
To find out more about LADC, visit their website here.
Image source: LADC