Structures Maintenance Plan

12.1  When the Council takes on the maintenance liability for a structure from a developer or private enterprise it will usually require them to pay a commuted sum to the Council. The commuted sum is equal to the costs the Council may expect to incur for inspection, maintenance and renewal of the structure over a defined period of time.

12.2  Commuted sums will be calculated using the ADEPT National Bridges Group guidance on Commuted Sums for the Relief of Maintenance and Reconstruction of Bridges.

12.3  In the case of a highway structure the commuted sum will be calculated by estimating all future costs for management, inspection, maintenance and replacement of the structure and the dates at which these costs are predicted to occur. If the structure is in poor condition and is in need of refurbishment in the near future, these costs are also included.

12.4 The net present value of these costs is determined using standard discounting techniques with a current discount rate of 2.2%. Although this may alter through the life of this document.

12.5  When calculated by this method of discounting, the commuted sum will represent the theoretical sum of money which must be invested to yield the funds necessary to meet future costs over an extended time period.