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About The Highways Asset Management Planning Network (HAMP)
The Highways Asset Management Planning Network which is partnered with the County Surveyors Society and supported by the Department for Transport has been running for two years and has established itself as the first point of call for many Local Authorities seeking information on Asset Management Planning in relation to Highways and Transportation. Our Membership is still growing, most often through word of mouth, which helps to demonstrate the value and relevance that our members are receiving from the Network and the importance of Asset Management across Local Government and the rest of the Public Sector.
The coming 12 months will show an increasing challenge for Local Authorities as the Government continues to ‘raise the bar’ and the Network is in a unique position to support Local Authorities in:
- Advising on the development of good Asset Management in relation to Highways and Transportation,
- Demonstrating best value in the use of capital resources
- Delivering continuous improvement and
- Spreading best practice
2006 saw significant progress in the development of Asset Management in relation to Highways and this is certain to continue into next year.
For many, the focus is still in preparing their first Highways Asset Management Plan whilst others are concentrating developing complete asset inventories, preparing approaches to valuation or focussing on maintenance strategies. Wherever you are in the process, the HAMP Network will continue support you by bringing you the latest developments and practice from around the United Kingdom.
Some of the challenges include:
- Embedding Asset Management within the organisation in preparation of the assessment of the Service Assessment Element and Use of Resources under CPA.
- Linking Asset Management performance with service outcomes.
- Tackling repair & maintenance issues by exploring different approaches to making a step change.
- Developing best practice in Asset Management, particularly in the areas of option appraisal, capital prioritisation, whole-life procurement, environmental issues and suitability & sufficiency.
- Keeping Highways Asset Management on the corporate agenda.
- Preparing for the impact that full asset depreciation will have when introduced as part of the ‘Whole of Government Accounts’ agenda.
- Exploiting the freedoms presented by the Prudential Code by developing robust business case approaches.
Through our partnership with the County Surveyors Society, the continuing support from the Department for Transport and our own experience of supporting Authorities in a changing local government world, the HAMP Network can provide unparalleled support to face these challenges.
Membership of the Highways Asset Management Planning Network will be essential in moving forward on this journey. It will help in providing a ‘road map’ to Asset Management and real service improvement. One of the strengths of the Network is that the content of events and presentations is directly influenced by the things you say you want us to cover, and we will continue to respond to ensure that all the events throughout the year are as lively, informative and useful as ever.
We understand the changes that you need to make and the outcomes you have to achieve. We also understand the constraints, barriers and difficulties that you face.
The advantages to you are:
- You will always be up to date with information
- You will have access to best practice from across the country
- You will have access to specialist expertise
- You will be part of the process and able to assist in its development
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of some of the benefits of renewing your membership:
- 2 free delegate places at three series of regional events during the subscription year
- Access to the constantly expanding ‘Members Only’ areas of the website, in particular the ever-increasing documentation section with a whole host of best practice examples.
- The opportunity to ‘Network’ with colleagues in other Local Authorities, many of whom face the same problems and challenges as you.
- Access to the latest ‘intelligence’ in the world of Highways Asset Management.
- Access to advice, guidance and information over the telephone, by email or in person at Network events.
- Use of the increasingly popular online Discussion Forum.
- The ability to advertise Highways related job vacancies on our website for FREE.
And finally, please remember that membership belongs to the Local Authority. We do not limit your free places to just Highways professionals and Asset Managers. You can bring along Finance Managers, Procurement Managers and Elected Members – in fact anyone whom you think would benefit from attending and that would improve the integration of Highway Asset Management within your organisation.
We do hope that you will consider becoming a member of the IPF AMP Network, should you require a subscription form or details of any of our other services please contact:
Denise Edwards
 01244 394600
If you would like an informal discussion with our expert Consultant please contact:
David Bentley
07710 368711 | 
