Local authority major schemes meta evaluation 2011 to 2016: government response
Published 24 June 2022
© Crown copyright 2022
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-major-schemes-meta-evaluation-2011-to-2016-government-response/local-authority-major-schemes-meta-evaluation-2011-to-2016-government-response
The Department for Transport (DfT) commissioned Atkins and Jacobs Joint Venture (AJJV) to carry out a meta evaluation of local major schemes funded between 2011 and 2016. We welcome the findings of their report.
Evaluation is key to understanding how well national and local government are delivering services and investing in public finances.
It is essential for demonstrating that funds invested by government have provided value for money for the taxpayer while also ensuring transparent and accountable decision-making.
Learning about which schemes are the most effective in achieving their objectives and responding to local transport issues will build the evidence base to support future decision-making and to share lessons about delivery and best practice.
As well as informing decisions about the funding and design of future transport schemes, the findings from this meta evaluation will inform consideration of how evaluation guidance for local authorities could be strengthened.
This could help to clarify DfT’s expectations with regards to evaluation and reporting standards and provide further support to scheme promotors to produce high-quality monitoring and evaluation outputs.
In parallel to this meta evaluation, DfT has also commissioned AJJV to carry out a review of the metrics included in the 2012 Local authority major schemes: monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework and to assess the degree to which these are still appropriate within the wider context of changes to government policy and updates to key analytical guidance (such as Transport analysis guidance (TAG) and the Magenta book.
AJJV’s review entails in-depth stakeholder engagement involving scheme promotors, consultants who carry out evaluations on their behalf and other relevant evaluation practitioners. This work will also inform consideration of the options for providing further M&E guidance and support to scheme promotors.