The Department has largely provided its funding to most local authorities on an annual basis, instead of via longer-term settlements as in other areas of transport.33 For example, the strategic road network (motorways and some major A roads) is funded through one dedicated fund in five-year periods. Spending review settlements do include multi-year annual totals for local road maintenance, but the Department provides total funding to most local authorities on an annual basis.34 The Department acknowledges that giving certainty on funding has driven significant efficiencies and improvements to the way strategic roads have been managed.35 The Chartered Institution of 30 C&AG’s Report, para 2.4 31 LRE0014, Written submission, Local Councils Roads Innovation Group 32 Qq 41-42 33 C&AG’s Report, para 2.5 34 C&AG’s Report, para 10 35 Q 52 13 Highways & Transportation also told us that longer-term funding settlement would improve effectiveness in the management and maintenance of local roads.36