Briefing: More for less

Abstract

This briefing paper is about delivering ‘more for less’ within the public sector. A crude cost-cutting approach is rejected and instead it is recommended that councils and their professional advisors develop a deep understanding of what is required for people to live civilised lives. It is argued that only when these questions are properly understood can the issue of affordability be addressed. In order to achieve this, the engineer needs to do many things: keep up to date with technological developments; collaborate with others to ensure that materials and processes are widely available and economically produced; and ensure that all procurement decisions are made with regard to the whole-life cost of the project. In order to develop this approach the Municipal Engineering Expert Panel has published case studies on the Institution of Civil Engineers website and provided links to other websites where best practice is available. In addition they are seeking data about the public perception of the quality of local infrastructure and the boundaries between which economic activity is encouraged and those places that people avoid visiting. By understanding this relationship, the engineer can make better recommendations about the investment required to make a project both a success and affordable.