Items
No. |
Item |
49. |
Chair's Update
Minutes:
The Chair welcomed everyone to
the first meeting to take place in the newly refurbished Wellington
House.
It was noted that this would be the last meeting where Councillor
Groves would be in attendance as a member of the Committee, as she
would be standing down at the upcoming elections. The Chair thanked
Councillor Groves for her invaluable contribution in supporting
transport in the region throughout her time on the
Committee.
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50. |
Apologies for absence
Minutes:
Apologies were received from
Cllr Thornber, Cllr Cunningham, Cllr D’Agorne, and Mark
Roberts.
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51. |
Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests
Minutes:
Cllr Salam noted his employment
with a bus operator, though this had been disclosed and recorded
prior to the meeting.
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52. |
Exempt information - possible exclusion of the press and public
Minutes:
There were no items that required
the exclusion of the press and public.
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53. |
Minutes of the meeting of the Transport Committee held on 5 November 2021 PDF 175 KB
Minutes:
Resolved: That the minutes of the
Transport Committee meeting of 5 November 2021 be
approved.
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54. |
Notes of the informal meeting of Members of the Transport Committee held on 7 January 2022 PDF 168 KB
Minutes:
Resolved: That the notes of the
informal Transport Committee meeting of 7 January 2022 be
noted.
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55. |
Transport Network Update PDF 349 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Transport Committee
received an update on the current performance of the transport
network in West Yorkshire, including an overview of the Combined
Authority’s activity and responses. It was noted that there
had been further changes to the current situation since the report
had been published.
Members discussed the impact of bus service reductions,
particularly in Wakefield and Kirklees, arising from staff
shortages. Similar reductions to rail services were also raised,
with the Huddersfield to Castleford service in particular being
highlighted. It was noted that these reductions, along with
increased levels of timetable changes and route alterations, risked
damage to the customer base in the long-term, as early experiences
of the bus service being confusing or unreliable could lead to
people avoiding public transport in the future. However, the
Combined Authority had intervened to maintain links on a number of
routes, particularly in Wakefield, and it was hoped that the work
being done as part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP)
process, including the path to potentially franchising the service,
would lead to a stronger and more reliable service in the
longer-term.
Concern was also expressed for rural areas in particular, which had
previously needed to be subsidised and on a number of routes had
always had limited services of one bus per hour. There was a need
not only to recover from the effects of the pandemic but to expand
the service, but it was noted that the patronage was not present
for many of these routes to be profitable under the standard model,
and a new network model would be needed to make rural routes a
sustainable part of the bus service.
Members also noted that although the report referred to replacement
bus services, these were not a like for like replacement for rail
journeys, as bikes could not be carried onto a bus.
Resolved:
That the Transport Committee note the updates on the
current performance of the public transport network provided in the
submitted report.
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56. |
Bus Service Funding PDF 270 KB
Minutes:
The Transport Committee
received an update on the current position regarding bus service
funding and on the bus transport related cost pressures faced by
the Combined Authority in 2022/23.
It was reported that although the Bus Recovery Grant making up the
shortfall to the bus service caused by the pandemic had been due to
come to an end on April 5 2022, this funding would now be extended
until the end of October, although the mechanism would now be
weighted to take into account the current patronage and revenue,
with the Combined Authority weighting its own payment of
concessionary fares in a similar manner. The extension of this
funding was welcomed by Members, but it was felt that this still a
short-term approach which left a great deal of uncertainty
regarding funding after October, and that this pushed bus operators
into taking a more reactive role, particularly in terms of service
reductions. Discussions with operators were underway to try to
limit the amount of these reductions and to increase patronage, but
Members raised concerns regarding the impact of inflation, as well
as international events which may impact on fuel costs, though it
was noted that operators being locked into contracts may mitigate
temporary increases in the cost of fuel.
Members questioned how much funding bus operators had been granted.
A figure of £180 million had been publicised but officers
advised that some of the funding was given directly to bus
operators relating to their own revenue claims and this left the
exact figure unclear, but the Combined Authority had requested more
transparency regarding this in its conversations with operators.
However, Members noted that this seemed an unrealistic figure for
preventing upcoming issues regarding the viability of an expanded
bus service rather than simply deferring those issues. It was
agreed that it would be vital to lobby Government for more
sustainable funding going forward, and to work with the Mayor to
draft a letter pursuing this.
The region was noted to be in a better position than many others
regarding the recovery of bus patronage, with a particularly strong
showing among under-19s, and Members praised initiatives such as
the £1 evening fare. The Mayor’s efforts to raise the
importance of hiring more drivers were also praised, but it was
noted that the shortage was still ongoing, and that it would be
vital to make the industry one an attractive one for people to
remain in.
In light of the uncertainty regarding future funding, it was
questioned whether bus operators had provided a list of services at
risk of being cut. Officers advised that an independent review was
being undertaken regarding this to gather more detail beyond what
operators had already shared. The delivery of approximately 90
remaining eco-friendly buses to the region was also raised, though
no update was available on this.
Resolved:
That the Transport Committee
notes the current position regarding bus funding.
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57. |
BSIP/Enhanced Partnership PDF 287 KB
Minutes:
The Transport Committee
received an update on the next steps of the Bus Service Improvement
Plan and Bus Enhanced Partnership.
The Combined Authority was still awaiting notification of an
indicative amount of BSIP funding to be awarded. Once this had be
received, a business case outline would be composed and submitted
to Government, before notification of
the final amount of funding would be given. Members noted that the
total pot of funding available had fallen since initial
announcements, and it was now believed it would be unlikely the
£168 million of revenue funding being sought would be
awarded. However, the challenges present also created
opportunities; rising petrol prices would encourage people to
consider alternatives to private car usage,
and delivering a reliable and dependable service through the
BSIP would support modal shift and grow a larger customer base.
Members requested clarification regarding the lack of
buses for Calderdale and Kirklees within the Zero Emissions Bus
Regional Area (ZEBRA) bid. It was explained that the Combined
Authority had coordinated bids to achieve the best result for all
districts, and to compensate for the disparity within the ZEBRA bid
Calderdale and Kirklees were being supported by a separate £4
million pot of funding for electric bus services, funded by the
Combined Authority.
It was also questioned how the figures noted in the
report regarding specific numbers of buses were decided upon.
Officers advised that these were the buses that operators were
willing to buy with the top-up money available.
Resolved:
That Transport Committee notes the update on the Bus
Service Improvement Plan and Enhanced Partnership
development.
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58. |
Rail Strategy PDF 399 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Transport Committee
received an update on the ongoing work on the Combined
Authority’s Rail Strategy, in the light of the
Authority’s response to two recent calls for evidence from
the UK Parliament Transport Select Committee: Integrated Rail Plan
(IRP); and the Great British Railways Transition Team: Whole
Industry Strategic Plan (WISP).
The Transport Select Committee had visited the region in the week
prior to the meeting, and had discussed levelling up through the
IRP and wider connectivity for the region. It was hoped that these
discussions would support efforts to challenge some elements of the
IRP. The release of the Combined Authority’s Rail Strategy
was being delayed to focus on the
response to the IRP, with a working plan due to be released toward
the end of April. A Combined Authority-TransPennine Route Upgrade briefing session was
also due to take place in the week following the meeting.
The importance of North-South links, including the Penistone line,
was highlighted by Members, with strong benefits potentially
available from links through Sheffield to Birmingham and beyond. It
was also noted that as with buses, an unreliable service would lead
to a loss of customers in the long-term. Enhancing the current
service would be a significant challenge, however.
Members discussed the potential for a second Leeds rail station in
the light of the cancellation of HS2, given the large developments
currently ongoing. It was noted that there was some debate as to
whether HS2 was fully off of the table,
and the Government still requested that the Combined Authority hold
on to the land which had been earmarked for HS2. However, it was
felt that track studies would need to be completed before potential
sites for a second station could be usefully discussed, if it were
determined that one was needed.
Resolved:That Transport
Committee:
a)
note the update on the development of the Rail
Strategy.
b)
note the following submitted Call for Evidence
responses and the implications these have to the development of the
Rail Strategy:
·
UK Parliament Transport Committee: Integrated Rail
Plan Inquiry Call for Evidence response, at Appendix 1 of the
submitted report;
·
Great British Railways Transition Team Whole
Industry Strategic Plan Call for Evidence response, at Appendix 4
of the submitted report.
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59. |
Connectivity, Shared Transport and Mass Transit Update PDF 344 KB
Decision:
Resolved: That
the Transport Committee has discussed the Connectivity
Infrastructure Plan and West Yorkshire Shared Transport Strategy as
part of the wider West Yorkshire Transport Plan suite of documents
and recommends it for discussion at the Combined Authority (for
their approval).
Minutes:
The Transport Committee
received an update on the development of the City Region
Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) submission to Government,
the Connectivity and Shared Transport Strategies and Mass
Transit.
It was noted that since the publication of the papers, timelines
had changed slightly, and the Connectivity and Shared Transport
Strategy and Mass Transit submissions discussed in the report would
not be submitted to the Combined Authority later in the month, but
would be held back until a future meeting in order to make some
adjustments and ensure all engagement was reflected.
Members questioned how bus operators would interact with a
potential mass transit system. The importance of all modes of
transportation working together to create a system that prioritised
the end user was strongly emphasised. Conversations were already
underway with bus operators regarding this, and it was noted that
space existed for them to be a key part of any solution, with bus
operators in many countries running tram systems, for
example.
The shortage of facilities for HGV drivers was also raised,
following on from discussion at a previous meeting. It was
requested that officers update Members with further information
regarding the status of the £52 million of funding which had
been set aside for roadside facilities, and whether bidding was
‘live’ for this.
The report’s mention of a gender
neutral transport network was discussed. It was clarified
that this referred to creating an accessible bus network that was
safe for all users, and took account
into the different kinds of journeys undertaken by different
groups, including variances between men and women. In a similar
vein, Members discussed the need for operators to consider how to
attract more female drivers to mitigate current shortages, and it
was hoped that recent efforts towards more flexible working
arrangements would help in this regard.
It was clarified that a significant portion of the CRSTS funding
had already been announced as part of the Transforming Cities Fund,
and that roughly £400-500 million was ‘new’
money.
Resolved: That
the Transport Committee has discussed the Connectivity
Infrastructure Plan and West Yorkshire Shared Transport Strategy as
part of the wider West Yorkshire Transport Plan suite of documents
and recommends it for discussion at the Combined Authority (for
their approval).
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60. |
Transport Committee Review PDF 470 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Transport Committee
received an update on the Transport Committee Review following the
Combined Authority meeting on 3 February, including the proposed
next steps.
Members were thanked for their contributions to the process of the
Transport Committee Review, and it was noted that the changes would
strengthen links with local communities, particularly by ensuring
each district’s transport portfolio holders were voting
Members. The Committee would also take responsibility for approving
relevant capital schemes going forward; this would be vital as the
Combined Authority began to deliver a greater number of projects
going forward due to the opportunities devolution had
provided.
Some concerns were expressed about changes noted in the report to
the District Consultation Sub-Committees (DCSCs), as Members were
keen to ensure the valuable feedback being gained from the current
format of meetings was not lost. However, it was advised that the
aim of the changes was to create a more flexible format and to
adjust the scope to allow a wider engagement, as well as freeing
officer resources. It was suggested that a meeting with DCSC Chairs
be arranged prior to the elections, to gather feedback and model a
potential set-up for the DCSCs going forward.
An Independent Remuneration Panel was currently forming a
recommendation for allowances going forward. Once this was
completed, the Transport Committee Review would be considered for
approval at the Combined Authority meeting in March, to be
implemented in the 2022-2023 municipal year
Resolved:
a)
That Transport Committee notes the update on the
Transport Committee Review, including the proposals agreed in
principle by the Combined Authority.
b)
That members of the Committee have used the
opportunity to provide any final feedback to the Chair and/or Lead
Director before the review is finalised.
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61. |
LCR Transport Update PDF 418 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Transport Committee
received an update on current issues not covered elsewhere on the
agenda.
Members discussed freight and logistics strategy in light of the Transport for the North consultation
mentioned in the report, and an update was requested that included
the potential for using canals for freight. It was noted that the
Combined Authority currently lacked the capacity to undertake a
detailed exploration of freight, but that information from the
rollout of freeports and other areas’ experiences with
freights would be studied.
Members also noted that Chris Boardman had been appointed as the
first Active Travel Commissioner for England, and agreed to draft a
letter with the Mayor congratulating him on his appointment and
inviting him to a future meeting of the Committee.
It was also requested that the Combined Authority take an active
approach in informing the region’s residents of recent
changes to the Highway Code, following the example of Calderdale
Council, which had used a variety of methods such as advertisements
on buses.
Resolved: That
the Transport Committee notes the updates provided in the submitted
report.
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62. |
Summary of Transport Schemes PDF 320 KB
Minutes:
The Transport Committee
considered a report informing them of transport-related project
approvals from the most recent meetings of the Combined Authority,
the Finance, Resources and Corporate Committee, and the Place,
Regeneration and Housing Committee.
Resolved: That the report be noted.
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