Local authority capacity and capability literature review

Parkhurst, Graham; Flower, Jonathan

Abstract

A literature review of local authority (LA) capacity and capability (C&C) was conducted for the Department for Transport (DfT) by University of the West of England (UWE). The review responded to two main questions:
- What are the C&C needs of LAs and what barriers do they face in addressing these needs?
- How can LAs be best supported to improve their C&C?

The review drew upon 30 documents and included unpublished items identified by DfT as well as items in the public domain.

Based on the literature reviewed, C&C needs that cut across transport modes can be grouped into three broad categories:
- Commercial, bidding and brokering
- Data and evaluation
- Cross-sector collaboration and working with consultants

Modes of transport identified as having some specific C&C needs were active travel, bus services, EV charge point provision and highways management.

C&C needs were found to vary by LA size, type, and degree of rurality. The review identified mitigating practices that LAs have adopted in response to C&C shortfalls.

The review identified three main ways that LAs can be supported to improve their C&C:
1. Greater certainty for funding
2. Support to build partnerships
3. Improved capability for preparing bids

Recommendations are proposed for the DfT and LAs, and also in respect of future research to fill identified knowledge gaps.

• Report Type: Research Report
• Online Publication Date: Dec 19, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 19, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jan 2, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 3, 2024
• Keywords: Capacity and Capability; Local Authority; Literature Review
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11547307
• Publisher URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/literature-review-local-authority-capacity-and-capability-for-transport-provision