Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room A, Wellington House, Leeds. View directions

Contact: Dathan Tedesco  Email: dathan.tedesco@westyorks-ca.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

16.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Ian Gillies, Councillor Nussrat Mohammed and Ian Cherry.

17.

Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests

Minutes:

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared by members at the meeting.

18.

Exempt information - possible exclusion of the press and public

Minutes:

There were no exclusions of the press and public at the meeting.

19.

Minutes of the meeting of the Transport Committee held on 7 July 2017 pdf icon PDF 322 KB

Copy attached.

Minutes:

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Transport Committee held on 7 July 2017 be approved and signed by the Chair.

20.

HS2 and the HS2 Growth Strategy pdf icon PDF 530 KB

To consider the attached report.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report updating it on the development of HS2 and the Leeds City Region HS2 Growth Strategy and summarising the progress to ensure the City Region makes the most of the HS2 opportunity for local growth and regeneration.

 

The report outlined the development of the Strategy, and its role to unlock the benefits of HS2 across the city region, as well as a focused look at growth in the area around Leeds station. The LCR HS2 Growth Strategy incorporates a series of workstreams, including Leeds Integrated Station Masterplan, Leeds City Region Connectivity, Leeds City Region Skills and Supply Chain and South Bank Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

 

Members will discuss aspects of the strategy in more detail at a workshop on 18 September. The full HS2 Growth Strategy will then be considered by WYCA at its meeting on 5 October, prior to submission to Government.

 

Endorsement was also sought for the principles of WYCA’s response to the HS2 consultation on its rolling stock depot location.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)                 That the development of HS2 and the Leeds City Region (LCR) HS2 Growth Strategy be noted.

 

(ii)               That the principles of WYCA’s response to the HS2 consultation on its rolling stock depot location, as outlined in paragraph 2.22 of the submitted report, be endorsed and developed further for a report to WYCA in October.

21.

Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade pdf icon PDF 303 KB

To consider the attached report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report updating it on the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

 

On 20 July 2017, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced the cancellation of the electrification of rail lines in Wales (Cardiff to Swansea), the Midlands (London to Sheffield and Nottingham) and North-West (Windermere) after National Audit Office reports highlighting projects which were behind schedule and over budget.

 

The Secretary of State for Transport has since called into question the inclusion of full electrification as part of the scope of the TRU.  Alongside other recent statements from the Secretary of State this has given rise to a number of concerns, as outlined in the submitted report.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)                 That the contents of the report be noted.

 

(ii)               That the greater involvement of WYCA in the development of the TRU scheme, including the forthcoming choices about scope and outputs, directly and through Rail North and Transport for the North, be endorsed.

 

(iii)             That a shared statement to Government be developed to articulate how important the TRU scheme is to West Yorkshire and the wider City Region, and that further actions be explored and pursued in order to lobby government in favour of the TRU scheme.

22.

East Midlands Rail Franchise Consultation pdf icon PDF 507 KB

To consider the attached report.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report setting out the proposed approach to WYCA’s response to the consultation being carried out by the Department for Transport (DfT) into the future East Midlands rail franchise (EM). 

 

Some locations in the East Midlands currently have poor connectivity to the Leeds City Region. Of the four “Hub Cities” of the East Midlands (Derby, Leicester, Lincoln and Nottingham), Leeds City Region has regular direct train services to only two. WYCA considers that there is an opportunity for new/extended EM services to address significant connectivity gaps, and therefore it is proposed that the CA should use this consultation to put forward strongly the case for addressing those gaps, both in WYCA’s own response and by helping to frame the response of Rail North.

 

WYCA officers have already met with the current operator (Stagecoach EMT) and with two competing bidders (Arriva and First Trenitalia) intend to consult with officers and councillors in the five West Yorkshire Districts and has already received input from various stakeholders such as rail user and business groups. This input will help inform the final consultation response.

 

The EM franchise is now to be re-let, with the new operator to take charge from August 2019. This implies that the Invitation To Tender will be issued to shortlisted bidders in April 2018, with bids to be returned by July 2018, ahead of the contract being awarded in Spring 2019. The consultation began on 20 July 2017 and ends on 11 October 2017.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)                 That the proposed approach to the EM consultation, as summarised in the submitted paper, be endorsed, and to delegate to the Chair and WYCA Managing Director to submit a corresponding response document after circulation to Transport Committee members.

 

(ii)               That WYCA officers continue to work with the three bidders shortlisted for the EM franchise, and with Rail North, to pursue positive outcomes for the Leeds City Region from the specification of the new franchise.

23.

Road Networks Update pdf icon PDF 316 KB

To consider the attached report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report providing an update on the West Yorkshire Key Route Network (KRN) and also on the work being done by Transport for the North (TfN) to create a Major Road Network (MRN) for the North and endorse further work on WYCA’s priorities for investment.

 

The collaborative management of a West Yorkshire KRN is a policy of the West Yorkshire Transport Strategy, as approved by the committee and subsequently by WYCA at its meeting of 3 August.  A Memorandum of Understanding outlining the basis for this work was attached to the submitted report for consideration.

 

TfN is also developing a proposal to create a Major Road Network (MRN) for the North, to provide a focus for investment decisions for improvements to roads (separate from the Strategic Road Network, managed by Highways England) that are the most economically important to securing the North’s productivity and growth.

 

Members were updated and agreed to discuss these issues in more detail, alongside Portfolio Holders, at a workshop scheduled for 5 December 2017.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)                 That the Memorandum of Understanding for the collaborative management of a Key Route Network for West Yorkshire be agreed.

 

(ii)               That the work by Transport for the North to create a Major Road Network for the North be noted and that WYCA undertakes further work to identify and prioritise priorities.

 

(iii)             That a workshop session on Key Route Network implementation and Major Road Network proposals is held with Transport Committee and Portfolio Holders to provide updates on activity and input to actions and priorities.

24.

Proposed disposal of part of a parcel of land at Barnsley Road, Flockton pdf icon PDF 268 KB

To consider the attached report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report seeking approval for the disposal of a parcel of land situated at Barnsley Road, Flockton, Wakefield. WYCA’s Director of Transport has confirmed that the Property is no longer required for the purposes of WYCA’s business and professional surveying advice recommends acceptance of the terms of sale as set out at in paragraph 2.5 of the submitted report.

 

Resolved:  To approve the disposal of part of a parcel of land situated at Barnsley Road, Flockton, Wakefield on the terms set out in the submitted report and to delegate authority to the Head of Legal and Governance Services to progress the matter to completion.

25.

Proposed disposal of two parcels of land located within 3/5 Alma Road, Leeds pdf icon PDF 272 KB

To consider the attached report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report seeking approval for the disposal of two separate parcels of land located within 3/5 Alma Road, Leeds, which WYCA acquired for the purposes of the New Generation Transport (NGT) scheme under the terms of an Agreement made with the owners. WYCA’s Director of Transport has confirmed that there are no current plans that affect the Properties and, on that basis, WYCA should discharge its obligations under the Agreement as the Solicitor acting for the Original Owners has made it clear that they want the Properties to be returned to them.

 

Resolved:  To approve the disposal of two separate parcels of land (both located within 3/5 Alma Road, Leeds), to the original owners, as required under the terms of an Agreement dated 27 January 2011, and to delegate authority to the Head of Legal and Governance Services to progress the matter to completion.

26.

City Region Transport Update pdf icon PDF 323 KB

To consider the attached report.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report providing an update on current transport issues in the City Region, covering the following:

 

·         Transport Committee Air Quality Workshop

·         Ultra-low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) Taxi Infrastructure

·         ULEV Bus Schemes – Buses

·         CCTV Digital Upgrade

·         MCard Update

·         Leeds Park & Ride Update

·         AccessBus

·         Supported Bus Services

·         District Consultation Sub – Committees

 

Resolved:  That the updates provided in this report are noted.