Agenda and minutes

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

1.    To highlight Appendix 1 to Agenda item 18 which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for reasons outlined in the report

2.    To consider whether or not to accept the officers’ recommendation in respect of the above information as set out in paragraph 4.2 of Agenda item 18

3.    If the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED  – That in accordance with paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Appendix 1 to Agenda item 18 on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information and for the reasons set out in the report that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Resolved: That in accordance with paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Appendix 1 to Agenda item 18 on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information and for the reasons  set out in the report that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exception outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mathew Morley, Nussrat Mohammed and Ian Cherry.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Transport Committee held on 16 March 2018 be approved and signed by the Chair.

The Chair welcomed to the Meeting Councillors Kim Groves and Kayleigh Brooks who were in attendance.

Councillor Wakefield advised members he will be stepping down from chairing the Transport Committee and his role will come to an end at the Combined Authority’s Annual General Meeting on 28 June 2018.  Councillor Wakefield

said he had enjoyed working with the Committee and expressed his thanks for the outstanding work undertaken by Officers.

Councillor Firth on behalf of Committee members said it had been a pleasure working with Councillor Wakefield and he was thanked for his patience and tolerance.

Louise Ebbs, Strategy Director, TransPennine Express

TransPennine Express commenced their new franchise in April 2016, with major plans for new rolling stock, services and the overall customer experience. TPE operates rail services connecting West Yorkshire with city regions and communities across the wider North.  From May 2018 they took over from Northern the provision of some services to local stations on the Huddersfield line.

Louise Ebbs, Strategy Director at TPE gave a presentation which covered new rolling stock and addressed current performance issues followed by a question and answer session.  Questions were asked by the Committee on a number of issues including the cycle pre-bookiing policy introduced by TransPennine Express. 

Resolved:    

(i)            That the contents of the presentation and question and answer session be noted.

(ii)          That TPE will come back with specific details to questions asked by members and would welcome the opportunity to return at a future date.

The Transport Committee considered a report which summarised the changes to rail timetables in May 2018 identifying the main issues raised and proposed for the Committee to endorse actions to address those issues.

The report also provided an update on recent operational performance on the railway and the Committee was asked to endorse the proposed actions by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority officers to seek to address the issues identified with the May 2018 train services in accordance with the methodology set out in the report and endorse the proposal to escalate concerns at the operating performance of the Arriva Rail North and Trans-Pennine Express franchise through the processes of the Rail North Partnership.

The chair informed members that shortly after the launch of the new timetable, the level of delay and cancellation was so bad that the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling (who ultimately has control over the franchises of Northern and TransPennine) and Northern leaders (who sit on the Transport for the North/Rail North Partnership board that jointly manages these franchises), held a conference call.  The main theme of this call was the lack of communication to members about the issues, an analysis of actions already been taken and the level of preparation to prevent further things going wrong.  The Secretary of State asked Cllr Judith Blake and (Rail Minister) Jo Johnson to look at the causes of the failures.

Members discussed in detail the contents of the report and called upon Transport Committee and District Consultation Sub Committees to work together.  Officers were in attendance to answer questions and the team will continue to provide critical briefing and are  also working with the operators to suggest timetable amends that would better serve customers.

Resolved:    

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

(ii)          That the summary of the May 2018 service changes and of recent operational performance trends be noted.

(iii)         That the proposed actions by West Yorkshire Combined Authority officers to seek to address the issues identified with the May 2018 train services be endorsed.

(iv)         That the proposal to escalate concerns at the operating performance of the Arriva Rail North and Trans-Pennine Express franchises through the processes of the Rail North Partnership be endorsed.

(v)          That appreciation for the work undertaken by officers in providing Transport Committee with a very clear picture be noted.

The Transport Committee was provided with a report to update on the Leeds City Region HS2 Growth Strategy priorities following the recent stakeholder engagement as follows:

·         Feedback received through the LCR HS2 Growth Strategy Engagement

·         Forward priorities around the LCR HS2 Growth Strategy

·         Funding delivery of the LCR HS2 Growth Strategy

The Leeds City Region Growth Strategy sets out priorities for how to maximise the investment opportunity arising from HS2 to rebalance the national economy  The Transport Committee last considered the details of the Leeds City Region HS2 Growth Strategy at the meeting in January 2018.

The Combined Authority continues to support High Speed 2 and the opportunity it brings.

The Transport Committee was asked to note the priorities and next steps for the Leeds City Region HS2 Growth Strategy and to seek reassurances from the Secretaries of State for Transport / Communities and Local Government around their commitment to development to funding the implementation of the Leeds City Region HS2 Growth Strategy.

Resolved:

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

(ii)          That the priorities and next steps for Leeds City Region HS2 Growth Strategy be noted.

(iii)         That the Transport Committee endorsed writing to the Secretaries of State for Transport / Communities and Local Government to seek reassurances around their commitment to development to funding the implementation of the Leeds City Region HS2 Growth Strategy.

The Transport Committee considered a report which provided an update on the Leeds City Region HS2 Connectivity Strategy following the engagement and to request Transport Committee support for the updated Leeds City Region HS2 Connectivity Strategy.  The report also set out the forward work plan in development of the Inclusive Growth Corridor Plans as the next stage in development./

Resolved: 

(i)            That the content of the report be noted

(ii)          That the refreshed Leeds City Region HS2 Connectivity Strategy which takes account the messages received through the engagement be endorsed.

(iii)         That the progress on the Inclusive Growth Corridor Plans be noted.

(iv)         That a workshop be organised to consider the details of the Inclusive Growth Corridor Plans during 2018.

The Transport Committee considered a report to provide an update on matters relating to air quality in the region including a focus on transport and to highlight activities being delivered to reduce transport emissions.

Policy development and action is being taken at a national, regional and local level to address poor air quality.  The report provided a summary of recent key decisions, local activities to address air quality and supporting evidence that will potentially impact on air quality and related environmental, economic and societal challenges

The report contained:

·         A summary of the key national and regional policy context for improvements in air quality.

·         Context for Action on Air Quality.

·         High Court Announcement.

·         Leeds Clean Air Zone Progress update.

·         Recent West Yorkshire Air Quality Activities.

·         Recent Funding Announcements.

·         Travel trends and potential impacts for air quality / carbon emissions.

·         Transport Sector Challenges to a Zero Emission and Clean Energy Future.

The Transport Committee was asked to endorse the activities being delivered to improve transport emissions and support the need for further collaborative working by the Combined Authority and partner authorities.

Members discussed and said that the report contained a good illustration of what is happening in Districts and in terms of the constraints, felt that a good job had been undertaken compiling the report and that as there were severe limits on what could be done Government must step in.

Resolved:    

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

(ii)          That the activities being delivered to improve transport emissions be endorsed.

(iii)         That the need for further collaborative working by the Combined Authority and partner authorities be supported.

(iv)         That Transport Committee lobby the Combined Authority to agree recommendations.

The Transport Committee considered a report to inform of a new consultation on cycling and walking safety issued by the Government and to agree key themes to form the basis of the Combined Authority’s response to the consultation.

In September 2017 the Department of Transport (DfT) announced a Cycle Safety Review.  This review included a consultation on safety issues relating to cycling and walking in the form of a “call for evidence” which was launched in March 2018.  The consultation reiterates the need for safer walking and cycling, the general approach to road safety and an overview of the current situation against a number of key themes.

Resolved:

(i)            That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)          That the Government’s consultation on cycling and walking safety be noted.

(iii)         That the recommended key themes identified in the report as forming the basis of the Combined Authority’s response to the Government’s consultation be endorsed.

The Transport Committee considered a report to seek the Committee’s endorsement of a Performance Management Framework for the adopted Bus Strategy which expands on the bus monitoring set out in the Transport Strategy Performance Management Framework.

The West Yorkshire Bus Strategy was adopted by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in 2017.  It sets the organisation’s agenda for improving bus services across the country from 2017 to 2027.

Transport Committee are asked to endorse development of a Bus Strategy Performance Management Framework and collection of data to be reported through the Bus 18 partnership.

Resolved:

(i)            That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)          That the development of a Bus Strategy Performance Management framework as set out in the report be endorsed.

The Transport Committee considered a report to set out the next steps in refreshing the Combined Authority’s policy on Digital Payment for Travel (also known as the Retail Strategy).  The report also set out how this refresh interacts with other workstreams currently under development including the emerging West Yorkshire Digital Framework and the updated Information Strategy.

The Transport Committee was asked to note the current position with digital payment for travel.

Resolved:    

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

(ii)          That the current position with digital payment for travel be noted.

(iii)         That an updated strategy and delivery plan be presented to the Committee later in 2018.

The Transport Committee considered a report to provide a summary of recently published research by the Urban Transport Group in respect of transport challenges faced by UK city regions.

The Urban Transport Group (UTG) is the UK network of urban transport authorities consisting of Merseytravel, Nexus, South Yorkshire PTE, Transport for Greater Manchester, Transport for London, Transport for the West Midlands and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, plus associate members.

The Transport Committee was asked to note the content of the Urban Transport Group report on Transport trends in the City Regions and White Van Cities.

Resolved:

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

(ii)          That the content of the Urban Transport Group’s reports on Transport Trends  in the City Regions and White Van Cities be noted.

The Transport Committee considered a report to provide an update on current issues: 

·         Bus 18 Progress.

·         Metroline Telephone Service Hours.

·         Bus Services Act Regulations.

·         Bus Station Toilet Charging.

·         West Yorkshire Combined Authority Funded Bus Services in Bradford District.

·         Leeds Cycle Point.

Members discussed the report and Officers were present to answer questions.  It was felt that there was a need to push for a replacement of the Leeds Cycle Point. 

Resolved:    That the updates provided in the report be noted

The Transport Committee considered a report on the Changes to Home to School Transport Provision and was asked to approve amendments to the policy guidelines applied to the provision of home to school transport for pupils who are not entitled to home to school transport under the Education Acts and to approve a programme to dispose of MyBus vehicles approaching the end of their operational life.

Members discussed the report and it was confirmed there would be no reduction in policy.

Resolved

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

(ii)          That formal consultation on the revised policy guidelines for the provision of school transport set out in Appendix 2 of the report proceeds and a further report be presented prior to adoption of the policy guidelines.

(iii)         That the Combined Authority progress a phased disposal of MyBus vehicles as set out in the report.

The Transport Committee considered a report to inform of the transport related West Yorkshire and York Investment Committee recommendations from its meetings of 21 March 2018 and 18 April 2018.

Resolved:     That the content of the report be noted.

The Transport Committee considered a report to update on the expenditure and progress of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority transport related capital programme in 2017/18 which included:

·         West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund (the Transport Fund)

·         Leeds Public Transport Investment Fund (LPTIP)

·         Local Transport Capital

·         DfT Cycle City Ambition Fund

·         West Yorkshire Cycling and Walking Fund

·         Ultra Low Emission Vehicles

Resolved:  That the update on the expenditure and progress of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority transport related capital programme in 2017/18 be noted.

In private session the Transport Committee considered a report to update on the development of the Transforming Cities Fund and was asked to note the conclusions from the first member working group ahead of the Stage 1 submission deadline of 8 June 2018.

The Transport Committee was asked to consider the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund submission and delegate final drafting of the Stage 1 submission to the Combined Authority Managing Director in consultation with the Chair of Transport Committee.

Resolved:

(i)            That the content of the report be noted

(ii)          That the submission and final drafting of the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund Stage 1 submission be delegated to the Combined Authority Managing Director in consultation with the Chair of Transport Committee