Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Michael Lyons, Councillor Tim Swift and Councillor Ian Gillis.

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

1.         To highlight the appendix to Agenda Item 8 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 at this time as the strategy document is currently in draft form and is being finalised in conjunction with Leeds City Council ahead of being launched publically later this month.  The strategy will be available to the public at this point.

2.         If the recommendation above 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 the appendix to Agenda Item 8 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 that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption at this time 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 the appendix to Agenda Item 8 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 that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption at this time outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Copy attached.

Further to minute 36, CityConnect (CCAG) Programme Update, Councillor Sutherland raised concerns about The Rochdale Canal cycle scheme and identified the current challenges facing travel in the Todmorden area. Members were advised that WYCA and Calderdale officers are working together to identify alternative sources of funding for the Rochdale Canal Phase 2 project including options to deploy Growth Fund.  WYCA’s Investment Committee had considered a range of potential Growth Fund projects earlier in the month and the Rochdale Canal cycle scheme was included.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Transport Committee held on 17 November 2017 be approved and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Wakefield welcomed Josie McHugh to the meeting as it was her last day and she was due to retire after 44 years’ service.  Councillor Wakefield, along with Committee members, thanked Josie for all the hard work and commitment she had given to members and her colleagues over the years and wished her a long and happy retirement.

A presentation will be given by Network Rail

Representatives from Network Rail, Jo Cookson, Public Affairs Manager and Kieran Dunkin, Principal Programme Sponsor, attended the meeting to provide a presentation on current and committed investment being made in the Calder Valley rail line.  Members were provided with details of a programme of investment, the Great North Rail Project (GNRP), aimed at improving train travel for customers in the North which would result in an increase in the number of trains running each day, more seats, faster journey times and improved reliability

The presentation included the following:

·         West Yorkshire Signalling Upgrade

·         Bradford Interchange Improvements

·         Hebden Bridge Station Improvements

·         Further work at Hebden Bridge

·         Platform Extensions

·         Journey Time improvements

·         Northern Rail’s new fleet

The presentation was followed by a question and answer session; Network Rail undertook to respond in writing to some of the questions.

Resolved: 

(i)                 That Network Rail’s representatives be thanked for their presentation and update.

(ii)               That Network Rail representatives be invited to a future meeting to answer further questions and update on the progress of TRU (Trans Pennine Route Upgrade which is currently under review by the Department of Transport.

To consider the attached report.

The Committee considered a report updating it on 2018/19 Revenue Budget Implications for Service Delivery.

It was reported that on 14 December 2018, WYCA had considered its three year Budget Strategy and Business Plan in advance of its formal approval on 1 February 2018.  The Committee were provided with an update on progress to date with the budget and the process under which the Committee will have oversight of the activities required to adjust spending on Transport Services.

Members were informed of work underway to develop a new policy for the provision of transport services to support mobility,  It was proposed to bring a report to the Transport Committee in May 2018 setting out a policy and programme.

A number of initiatives were currently being looked at to promote bus travel by young people within current budgetary provision which would result in changes to the Authority’s Concessionary Travel Scheme and would be presented to the Committee for review at a future date in 2018/19.

Proposals were in place to change the way in which WYCA provides travel information and supports the sale of transport and tickets and passes which would also meet changing customer expectations and result in cost savings to the Authority.  The West Yorkshire Bus Information Strategy would be updated to reflect the revised service provision and funding arrangements for consideration by the Committee later in 2018.

The report also provided members with the opportunity to review and comment on the draft 2018/19 Business Plans for each Directorate in the Authority.

Resolved:

(i)                 That the work underway on the medium term financial strategy and budget for 2018/19 which will be presented for approval to WYCA on 1 February 2018 be noted and endorsed.

(ii)               That the contents of the draft WYCA Business Plan which will be presented for approval to WYCA on 1 February 2018 be noted and endorsed.

(iii)             That a report be brought to the meeting scheduled for 25 May 2018 setting out a policy and programme for the provision of transport services to support mobility.

(iv)              That changes to the Authority’s Concessionary Travel Scheme to encourage travel by young people at no greater cost to the Authority be presented for review at a future meeting of the Committee.

(v)                That the West Yorkshire Bus Information Strategy is reviewed to meet changing customer expectations at a lower cost to the Authority and a revised draft is presented to the Committee for adoption later in 2018

To consider the attached report.

The Committee was provided with an overview of the proposed `Class B’ Clean Air Zone for Leeds.

It was reported that in July 2017 the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published the National Air Quality Plan which requires 28 Local authorities that are forecast to exceed statutory Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) emission limits by 2020 to produce action plans detailing how they will ensure N02 compliance within the shortest possible time.  Within Yorkshire, Leeds City Council is the only named local authority required to act.

Having been provided with an overview of the proposals for the Leeds Clean Air Zone, members discussed the proposals in detail.  The Committee acknowledged the benefits that clean air has on improving public health and creating quality places for people who live and work in the Leeds City Region and in attracting investment.  WYCA’s continued investment in programmes which support air quality improvement was welcomed along with the ongoing work with businesses and transport operators to improve vehicle emissions for the benefit of all West Yorkshire residents.

Resolved:

(I)                 That the publication of the proposed Leeds Clean Air Zone be noted.

(ii)        That WYCA’s support for and collaborative working with Leeds City Council during the development and implementation of the proposed Clean Air Zone be endorsed.

(iii)       That WYCA’s continued investment in programmes that support air quality improvement and the ongoing work with businesses and transport operators to improve vehicles and fleets for the benefit of all West Yorkshire residents and businesses through improved public health and cleaner air be supported.

To consider the attached report.

The Transport Committee was provided with an update on current issues which included:

·         Transport for the North

·         West Yorkshire Key Route Network

·         DfT Consultation on Proposals for the Creation of a Major Road Network

·         DfT Consultation on Shaping the Future o England’s Strategic Toads

·         Trans Pennine Route Upgrade Update

·         Northern Powerhouse Rail

·         Consultation on methodology for allocating fixed costs to train operators in Control Period 6 (CP6)

·         Connecting people: A strategic vision for rail / intercity East Coast franchise

·         Future of Community Rail Strategy Consultation

·         Bus Service Act Update

·         Young People’s Bus Travel Initiatives

·         Transforming Cities Fund

·         Rail Fare Increases

·         MCard Prices

·         North of England Transport Awards

Resolved:  That the updates be noted

To consider the attached report.

The Committee considered as a private paper an update report on the LCR HS2 Growth Strategy seeking endorsement for its publication and start of engagement.

Resolved:

(i)                 That the progress on the LCR HS2 Growth Strategy be noted and the draft be endorsed for publication and engagement.

(ii)               That the principles for taking forward the inclusive Growth Corridors as detailed in paragraph 2.11 of the submitted report be endorsed.