Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Committee was advised that a number of its members had lost their seats in the recent elections. Tribute was paid to Councillor Eric Firth, Vice Chair of the Transport Committee who had given great support to the Chair over the last year. Also thanks was made to Councillor Peter Dew who has been a member of York Council and involved in a number of transport schemes.

Councillor Peter McBride also acknowledged the contribution made by Councillor Firth, as a long term member of the Committee who was universally liked and respected. Further thanks was made by all members.

The Chair took the opportunity to congratulate Councillor McBride on his appointment as Deputy Kirklees Council Leader.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Peter Box.

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

1.         To highlight Appendices 1, 2 and 3 to Agenda Item 9 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 the 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 4.3 of Agenda Item 9.

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 Appendices 1, 2 and 3 to Agenda Item 9 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 Appendices 1, 2, and 3 of Item 9 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 the minutes of the Transport Committee held on the 15 March 2019 be approved.

Resolved:    

(i)        That the Committee notes the progress being made on rail matters affecting West Yorkshire as presented in the report.

(ii)       That the Committee urged the Department of Transport and Network Rail to prioritise the technical capacity analysis needed to determine the rail network requirements in and around central Leeds necessary to bring clarity on the investment required to deliver committed service improvements and accommodate growth across the City Region.

(iii)      That the Committee endorsed the activity necessary to prioritise the importance of addressing rail network capacity in and around central Leeds for improved services across the Leeds City Region and beyond, and the need for ongoing activity to make a strong case for investment by working with the rail industry and Transport for the North to make sure this is reflected in investment plans.

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on rail matters affecting West Yorkshire.

Network Rail gave an update to the Committee, acknowledging what had been a difficult 12 months. There had been many lessons learned from the May 2018 timetable problems, which demonstrated that, as it is such a major hub, congestion issues at Leeds have an impact on rail performance both regionally and nationally. Network Rail are very aware of the impact felt by passengers and communities and in all future planning Leeds is viewed as having a national significance and profile.

Members were updated on the work being undertaken on the new platform zero at Leeds. The strategic planning team are working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Transport for the North (TfN) in looking at what requirements are needed to deliver the franchise commitments and developing cases for funding from the Department for Transport (DfT).

From June 2019 there will be a new structure at Network Rail, taking the number of route based departments from 8 to 13, in order to better reflect local alignment of strategy and to work more effectively with local needs and communities.

Members welcomed the change of the network organisation, commenting that this was a recommendation also made by Richard George in his review. Members asked what actions were being taken on his other recommendations. It was confirmed that the review is with the DfT but that Northern had chosen to implement some things ahead of their guidance/ comments.

The following points were also raised:

·                Northern and Network Rail are working to improve the efficiency of the Neville Hill Depot

·                Working with LNER to improve signalling

·                Working with Northern and TPE to optimise roll out of new rolling stock

·                Planning for the May and December 2020 timetable changes is already underway

Network Rail hold bi-weekly meetings with train operators regards timetable changes to ensure more stability and to accommodate implementation of new rolling stock. Members asked when they would know if there was an issue regards the December timetable and were informed that planning would mean there were no surprises. There is also independent assurance taking place to ensure that Network Rail’s assumptions are realistic and have contingency.

Members queried point 2.11 in the report which identified the importance of the extension to Platform 17 Leeds to addressing overcrowding of trains serving the Wakefield district and asked what is planned. Network Rail acknowledged this but were unable to confirm works planned due to it being a technically challenging project and being considered as part of the larger scheme of infrastructure works, for which a bid for funding had to be made. There will be an update at the end of the Summer 2019.

The Chair stressed that the increase to capacity at Leeds Station was of key importance to deliver services throughout the region. Other schemes also require support from Network Rail to ensure implementation such as the new stations at Elland, White Rose and Leeds  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

The Committee considered a presentation on the role and remit of Transport for the North (TfN), the Strategic Transport Plan and the Investment Programme.

TfN gave an overview of their remit as a sub national transport body and p outlined the Transport Strategic Plan submitted to Government.

Key points were as follows:

·                Inclusive growth is key and the North needs a world class infrastructure

·                A recent review had highlighted that transport was an obstacle to growth

·                The movement of goods and services was important, not just movement of people

·                Need to get more people on public transport

·                Ambitious target of a zero carbon public transport network by 2050

·                Lack of investment in the East- West corridor needed to be addressed

·                Smart integrated ticketing network is required

·                Supporting local station plans

·                Investment in major road networks

TfN are seeking devolution of an investment programme to the North rather than having to bid to Government. This would enable implementation of multi-modal schemes and the North to have a better say over investment in the future.

The Chair welcomed TfN’s presentation and their attendance at the Committee. She invited TfN to work with the Committee and West Yorkshire Combined Authority as the Transport Authority. It was also requested that TfN work with Portfolio Holders in the districts.

Members made the following comments:

·      Some road schemes may not help the achievement of the carbon reduction targets

·      There is a need for TfN to align to the Transport Authority’s key priorities, specifically in relation to upskilling and better jobs

·      Corridor improvements need to be clearer- For example there were questions raised about a road from Bradford to the airport

·      Volumes of traffic on the M62 a concern

·      The cross pennine routes via Keighley and Skipton A56/ A59 / A6068 are key routes with a lack of resilience

·      More information was required in relation to rail freight issues

·      Measurable outcomes need to be brought to future meetings so Members can look at progress

·      The scope of transport is vast and the impact on skills and regeneration is equally large

·      There needs to be more 2-way communication between elected members and TfN

·      Multi-modal contactless travel payment is required

TfN informed Members that Highways England are looking at improvement work and some of the above may fall into this remit. Improvements could be road or rail and TfN are aware that Highways England are exploring an M65 extension possibility.

As a new body they are keen to work with the industry to support the delivery of the Strategic Transport Plan. They acknowledged that development of stations are an issue in the current industry structure and work has to be done collaboratively.

Resolved:     That the Transport Committee welcomed Transport for the North’s attendance at the meeting and agreed to invite Transport for the North to subsequent meetings to engage Members on the details of their work programme.

Resolved:     That the Transport Committee noted the ‘call for papers’ and endorsed the principles of the West Yorkshire response to the ‘call for evidence’.

The Committee considered a report which provided the context of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s response to the Department for Transports recent ‘call for evidence’ around the various forms of ‘light rail’.

Members were appraised of the high level principles of the Combined Authority’s response and invited to discuss these. Point 2.12 in the paper will form the basis of the response.

The Chair highlighted the need for finance and systems that meet the social fabric of West Yorkshire.

Resolved:     That the Transport Committee noted the ‘call for papers’ and endorsed the principles of the West Yorkshire response to the ‘call for evidence’.

Resolved:    

(i)        That the contents of the report were noted and comments provided.

(ii)       That the Transport Committee agreed to nominate members to be part of the working group.

(iii)      That the Transport Committee agreed to nominate a Chair for the working group.

The Committee was informed that it was proposed there be nominations from both the Transport Committee and Green Economy Panel to work together in a ‘Zero Emission Transport Working Group’.

The first working group would be held in June/ early July 2019. Due to changes to membership it was proposed that the Transport Chair attend in the interim and note the current members who are interested from the committee.

Resolved:    

(i)        That the contents of the report were noted and comments provided.

(ii)       That the Transport Committee agreed to nominate members to be part of the working group.

(iii)      That the Transport Committee agreed to nominate a Chair for the working group.

The Committee was updated on progress made so far in developing the West Yorkshire Bus Alliance.

It was noted that the formal agreement and work plans will be brought to the next meeting, along with the underpinning legal agreement.

Resolved:     That the Committee noted the progress made in developing the West Yorkshire Bus Alliance and a report be submitted to a future meeting setting out the terms of a Voluntary Partnership Agreement.

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the transport related schemes considered by the West Yorkshire and York Investment Committee.

Members noted the various projects.

Resolved:     That the report be noted.

Resolved:    

(i)        That Transport Committee noted the risks associated with the Tranche 2 ‘big bid’ set out in Appendix 2.

(ii)       That Transport Committee endorsed the approach for the Tranche 2 ‘big bid’ outlined in Appendix 1 and noted that there are further member working groups and conversations with Leaders around the finalised scope, ahead of submission of the draft SOBC submission to DfT officers on 20 June.

(iii)      That Transport Committee endorsed the approach that an Expression of Interest be submitted for a Future Mobility Zone for region by 24 May 2019 as outlined in Appendix 3.

Members were given a presentation on the approach, ahead of submission for the Transforming Cities Fund. Members discussed the proposed content of the bid to the Future Mobility Zone element of the Fund. It was noted that it is a two stage bidding proves, with May 2019 being the date for submitting an Expression of Interest and then if successful a full bid could be developed over the summer.

It was noted that it is a very competitive fund, for which Mayoral authorities can also bid. However, it is felt that the West Yorkshire Combined Authority bid is strong, linking communities and demonstrating rural-urban interplay.

Resolved:    

(i)        That Transport Committee noted the risks associated with the Tranche 2 ‘big bid’ set out in Appendix 2.

(ii)       That Transport Committee endorsed the approach for the Tranche 2 ‘big bid’ outlined in Appendix 1 and noted that there are further member working groups and conversations with Leaders around the finalised scope, ahead of submission of the draft SOBC submission to DfT officers on 20 June.

(iii)      That Transport Committee endorsed the approach that an Expression of Interest be submitted for a Future Mobility Zone for region by 24 May 2019 as outlined in Appendix 3.