Liverpool City Council: Highways Improvement Partner

The Challenge

Liverpool City Council entered formal Government intervention in June 2021. While significant improvements had been made across several areas, further targeted support was required to strengthen service performance, build resilience and demonstrate continuous  improvement. 

Newtrality was commissionedto support two core programmes as part of the Council’s improvement journey. A key focus area was the Highways service, where complex operational and governance improvements were required to address Commissioner findings and enable the service to move out of statutory intervention. 

The challenge was to assist and support the Council’s Highways Senior Management team to translate external recommendations into a practical, deliverable improvement programme, while simultaneously building internal capability and resilience.

Our Approach & Solution

Newtrality supported the newly appointed Director of Sustainable Transport, Highways & Parking to support with the design and implement a structured improvement programme within Highways. 

Based within Liverpool’s offices, our staff worked in partnership with highways workforce to  develop an integrated plan, alongside reporting and governance arrangements, to enable the Commissioner’s recommendations to be enacted in a structured and transparent way. This provided clarity of accountability, strengthened oversight, and created a clear line of sight between improvement actions and measurable progress. 

The Impact

As a result of Newtrality assistance and support: 

·       A continuous improvement approach was embedded within the service. 

·       The capital PMO function was strengthened and improved. 

·       Backdated savings of over £1m were identified through the resolution of backlogged Green Claims. 

The programme supported the Directorate by providing the service with greater stability, strengthened governance, and improved financial oversight, supporting Liverpool City Council’s wider continued improvement journey and out of intervention. 

Client Testimonial

“I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight the support and contribution Newtrality has made to the Council, particularly in relation to our PMO, governance, and processes. Newtrality’s expertise and collaborative approach have been invaluable in helping the Council’s Transport, Highways and Parking streamline project management practices and strengthen our governance framework. Newtrality brought clarity and structure to our procedures, facilitating smoother operations and improved accountability across the board. The team consistently demonstrated professionalism and a keen understanding of our needs, working closely with us to develop effective solutions that have made a tangible difference. Newtrality’s support has enabled us to deliver projects more efficiently and with greater confidence.”

Andrew Mollon | Director Sustainable Transport, Highways & Parking Liverpool City Council | Liverpool