Contracting Out (Highway Functions) Order 2009

The Government consider that service delivery should achieve best value for taxpayers. In some cases, that means the service being provided by a third party. The three existing contracting-out orders covering highways functions allow authorities to delegate the listed statutory functions to a third-party operator. We now propose to build on this by including more functions, mainly related to street works, in this new order. At the same time, we are consolidating all the highway functions that can be contracted out into this new order. It is important that authorities manage any contracts placed effectively so that they achieve best value and deliver an effective service. The order will enable an efficient service and maintain local flexibility without any reduction of accountability in the delivery of public services.