Lib Dems call for scrutiny on the "Jet Patcher"
Brentwood South Lib Dem County Councillor David Kendall has called for members at Essex County Council to be given an opportunity to undertake a full scrutiny investigation of the use and effectiveness of the "Jet Patcher" pothole repair system. His call follows a recent question he asked the Cabinet Member for Highways Cllr Rodney Bass. In the written reply that Cllr Kendall was given it stated that:
- During 2012/13 the Jet Patcher was used for the first time and fixed some 35,000 defects.
- In the current year 2013/14 the Jet Patcher has only been used to repair 5,000 deep defects on rural roads and in dry conditions.
- There is currently no formal audit specific to the Jet Patcher
- There is routinely a random audit of 5% of all works carried out including the jet patcher but this information is not available to members of the County Council or the public.
He said:
"I have called for the use of the Jet Patcher to be fully scrutinised because I want to be sure that the County Council is using a system that is effective and fit for purpose but also one that is offering residents good value for money. The reply to my question has raised serious doubts that any of these points are being delivered at the moment. I believe the staggering difference in the year on year repair figures for the Jet Patcher needs to be properly investigated and there also needs to be more openness and transparency when it comes to how work is audited and how that information is shared with councillors and members of the public".