This past week has been a perfect example of why I enjoy working in this sector. No two days are ever the same. It’s been a week of engaging discussions, meaningful catchups, team bonding, and forward planning, all of which left me both energised and very aware of the busy months ahead!
I began the week with a meeting with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), where we focused on the sector, and in particular the role of procurement in supporting innovation. Too often, procurement is seen simply as a mechanism for buying goods and services. It’s so much more than that. Done well, it becomes a powerful lever for change, a way to encourage suppliers to think differently, to bring new solutions forward, and to foster healthier competition that benefits everyone. My conversation with the CMA was a reminder of our responsibility to design procurement approaches that are not only fair and transparent, but also capable of driving innovation across the industry for all sizes of suppliers.
Later in the week, I swapped Teams meetings for bullseyes, during a well-earned team outing in Manchester. These moments of downtime are incredibly important as they allow us to celebrate the hard work of recent months and connect as colleagues on a more personal level. Once again, we found ourselves playing darts at the Flight Club, and once again I discovered that my throwing skills haven’t improved one bit since the last time we went! While I may never master the art of hitting treble 20, what mattered most was the laughter, camaraderie, and the sense of togetherness that evenings like this bring. It’s easy to underestimate how important these team activities are, but they provide the balance that sustains us through the more intense periods of work.
Karla and I also had an insightful meeting with a county council, where we explored how they are beginning to use automated technology processes to cut down on bureaucracy and speed up internal systems. What struck me most was how relatively small changes – automating routine approvals, streamlining reporting, or reducing paperwork, can have such a big impact on freeing up staff time and improving efficiency. Instead of spending hours on administrative tasks, staff can focus on delivering real outcomes for residents.
This conversation feeds directly into our ongoing work to gather AI and automation case studies and mini guides. Across the sector, there’s growing recognition that digital tools, when applied in the right way, can deliver significant value. But there’s also an understandable hesitancy. Questions about cost, capacity, and trust often stand in the way. That’s why real-world examples are so important. By showcasing councils that are already trialling or adopting these technologies, we can help demystify AI, which we’ve started to do in the first of our guides and highlight tangible benefits and give others the confidence to explore what might work in their own context.
Karla and I also had the chance to meet with Northumberland Water to hear more about their innovative Pipebot project. Designed to inspect and maintain water pipes using robotic technology, the project has exciting potential applications for highways drainage in the future. It’s always fascinating to see how solutions developed in one sector can spark ideas and open opportunities in another, and we’ll be following their progress with real interest. In addition, it was refreshing to hear how the project is evolving as they uncover technology shortfalls and new solutions to tackle this.
In between, I also had the opportunity to catch up with a few councils, which is always a highlight. These conversations give me direct insight into the challenges they’re facing and the opportunities they see on the horizon. With the ongoing MCHLG consultations into future performance assessment, it was particularly valuable to hear first-hand perspectives and reflections.
To round off the week, we were delighted to hear Dr Ian Lancaster, Director at the Asphalt Industry Alliance and a member of our Innovation Board, mention us on BBC Radio Essex. He highlighted some of the innovative solutions being trialled in Essex by one of our Corporate Members, Roadmender (you can listen back here at 10m30s).
As I look back, this week has felt like a microcosm of the work we do, strategic discussions that set the direction for innovation and fairness in the sector, collaborative conversations that ensure councils’ voices are heard, careful planning to deliver high-quality events, and moments of joy with our brilliant team that remind us why we do what we do together.
And speaking of what lies ahead, the countdown is now firmly on for our flagship event, Strictly Highways in Blackpool this October. It promises to be one of the biggest and most exciting gatherings yet, bringing together councils, industry, and innovators from across the sector. I can’t wait to see the discussions unfold, the ideas shared, and the connections made.
Paula Claytonsmith, CEO