Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room A, Wellington House, 40-50 Wellington Street, Leeds

Items
No. Item

55.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Sutherland and Councillor Hepworth.

56.

Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests

Minutes:

Councillor Ellis and Councillor Scullion declared that they were members of the Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.

57.

Exempt information - possible exclusion of the press and public

1.     To highlight Appendix 1 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 exemptions 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 6.1 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 Appendix 1 to Agenda Item 9 on the grounds that they are 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.

Minutes:

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 9 on the grounds that they are 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.

 

58.

Minutes of the meeting of the Transport Committee held on 10 January pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Minutes:

Resolved: That the minutes of the Transport Committee held on 15 January be approved.

 

59.

Covid-19

Minutes:

Members were informed of the contingency plans for the Transport Committee regarding Covid-19. The Chair proposed the cancellation of the District Consultation Sub-Committees as a precaution. Members discussed whether this step was necessary given that the turnout of the DCSCs was usually relatively low and would not pose a risk at the current time.

Members put the matter to a vote and result was as follows:

For: 8

Against: 3

In addition, members were also consulted on plans for business continuity and delegations to the Managing Director in consultation with the Chair of Transport Committee and members if the Transport Committee was unable to convene at its next meeting on the 15 May. Members also asked if there was scope to use videoconferencing to hold the formal meetings. It was noted that current legislation required formal committees to meet in person but should this change then the Combined Authority would seek to make use of technology to continue Committee business.

Resolved:

(i)              That the District Consultation Sub-Committees be cancelled.

 

(ii)             That the following delegation be exercised should there be disruption/cancellation of Transport Committee meetings during the Coronavirus situation:

 

(a)  To delegate authority to the Managing Director and Directors of the Combined Authority to take any action and decisions as they consider to be necessary, which would ordinarily fall to be taken by the Transport Committee to ensure the timely progress of the business of the Committee.

 

(b)  This is subject to consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair of Transport Committee, and in consultation with members of the Committee (via appropriate communication channels).

 

60.

Rail Connectivity Vision and Rail Update pdf icon PDF 149 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on rail matters. Matt Rice, Route Director North and east for Network Rail was in attendance and provided a verbal update which included:

 

 

·          Revenue downturn due to Covid-19 and Network Rail’s plan for business continuity during the pandemic.

·        Problems with capacity – delays caused by overcrowding and boarding / alighting

·        The importance of signallers and Network Rail’s plan to recruit more. It was noted that while technology can assist in many aspects of the rail industry there was no replacement for more signallers.

·        Leeds Station – recognised the difficulties associated with the station and will be looking to hire 60 new members of staff.

·        Recognised the importance of the new trains to improve passenger experiences.

·        A call for leadership and co-ordination from all parties involved in the rail industry.

·        Members asked about the possibility of locating a station in East Leeds around Marsh Lane. Network Rail indicated that it was not an option which they were considering but officers from the Combined Authority would consider a business case.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)               That the presentation from Matt Rice be noted

 

(ii)              That the progress being made in developing a new rail strategy for West Yorkshire, in advance of the Rail Vision Workshop, be noted.

 

(iii)            That the updates on HS2, the Restoring Your Railway Fund, the Northern franchise, Northern pacer retention and the Accessibility Fund 2020 be noted.

 

 

61.

Devolution Update

Minutes:

The Transport Committee was provided with a verbal update on the recently announced West Yorkshire Devolution deal. The deal was subject to agreement from each local authority at full council in September.

 

The deal required a mayoral election in May 2021 and would provide £1.8 billion over 30 years as well as additional decision making powers.  Of particular note for members of the Transport Committee were powers regarding key route networks and bus franchising as well as the £317 million for the Transforming Cities Fund.

 

Resolved: That the update be noted.

62.

Aviation Update pdf icon PDF 109 KB

Minutes:

Members were provided with a presentation from Hywel Rees from Leeds Bradford Airport.

 

The presentation outlined the following points:

 

·       That Leeds was the fourth largest metropolitan district yet had the fifteenth largest airport.

·       That the Leeds Bradford Airport building was designed in 1965 and provided a poor passenger experience and was presented a challenge for operators.

·       The aim for the new terminal building to be environmentally friendly and achieve Breeam excellence.

·       Design the building so it is easy to access via public transport.

·       Look at options for new technology in decarbonising aviation such as battery power, biofuel, hydrogen.

 

Members raised the following points:

 

·       Members asked what new technologies were forthcoming to enable the aviation industry to decrease its emissions. It was noted that in other modes of transport the technology needed to decarbonise was closer in view compared to the aviation industry.

·       Actions which the airport could take – for instance, encourage operators, advance research and development and set targets?

·       As other sector decarbonised aviation would constitute a larger proportion of the region’s emissions.

·       That the airport’s expansion aimed to help it reach its consented capacity which would mean more passengers and more flights and increased emissions.

 

Resolved: That Transport Committee thanks Hywel Rees for his presentation.

63.

Zero Emissions Transport Update pdf icon PDF 210 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the Zero Emissions Transport Working Group and the ongoing work to decarbonise transport.

 

Members heard the progress of the working group to date in overseeing various pathways for the decarbonisation of transport including the underlying assumptions of the work, the engagement strategy and the emerging findings.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)              That the contents of the submitted report, and the emerging findings of the work, be noted.

 

(ii)             That the engagement plan to ensure partner councils and stakeholders are engaged in co-designing the preferred pathways, roadmap and delivery action plans be noted.

64.

Concessionary Bus Travel for Under 19's pdf icon PDF 169 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved:

 

(i)              That the development of a Fare Deal for Young People as set out in this report be endorsed.

 

(ii)             That, under the current Concessionary Travel Scheme, people of eligible age should not be required to prove their age to obtain a concessionary fare unless the bus driver suspects the customer is older than their 19th birthday.

 

(iii)           That a revised Concessionary Travel Scheme be presented for consideration by Transport Committee in May 2020.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report which proposed steps to amend the Concessionary Fare Scheme to create an affordable fare for under 19s and encourages additional bus journeys.

 

It was proposed that the maximum fare for under 19s would be £1.20 with different price points for journeys below the maximum would be modelled and an Equality Impact Assessment would be undertaken. The findings from that exercise would be brought to the Transport Committee at its next meeting in May.

 

Other aspects of the proposals included a relaxation of proof of age requirements so that drivers only need ask for proof  of age when the customers looks older than 19.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)              That the development of a Fare Deal for Young People as set out in this report be endorsed.

 

(ii)             That, under the current Concessionary Travel Scheme, people of eligible age should not be required to prove their age to obtain a concessionary fare unless the bus driver suspects the customer is older than their 19th birthday.

 

(iii)           That a revised Concessionary Travel Scheme be presented for consideration by Transport Committee in May 2020.

65.

Bus Strategy Update pdf icon PDF 146 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved:

 

(i)              That the submission of an Expression of Interest to the Department for Transport Supported Bus Services Funding based upon the approach outlined in this report be approved.

 

(ii)            That, in consultation with the Chair of the Transport Committee, bids are submitted to the Super Bus and All-Electric Town Funds based upon the approach outlined in this report.

 

(iii)          That the continued progress of the West Yorkshire Bus Alliance be endorsed.

 

(iv)          That the current position regarding the potential sale of First West Yorkshire and the work in progress to understand the requirements for delivering bus services in West Yorkshire through a franchising model be noted.

Minutes:

Members considered a report which set out the process and seek approval for the approach to the Department for Transport announcement of Better Deal for Bus Users Funding which included the Super Bus Fund and Electric Towns Fund.

 

The submitted report set out the approach for an expression of interest and outlined a list of possible bus service enhancements developed in consultation with officer across the districts.

 

Members also noted that First Bus was no longer up for sale.

 

Members gave their approval to the expression of interest and mentioned specific interventions such as services in north Kirklees, and a Keighley to Halifax service via Denholm. Members also inquired if the funding could be used to reintroduce frequency of bus where services had been cut to hourly. Members noted that officers would look at the feasibility of these interventions but that there would not be enough funding to reintroduce frequency of services.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)              That the submission of an Expression of Interest to the Department for Transport Supported Bus Services Funding based upon the approach outlined in this report be approved.

 

(ii)            That, in consultation with the Chair of the Transport Committee, bids are submitted to the Super Bus and All-Electric Town Funds based upon the approach outlined in this report.

 

(iii)          That the continued progress of the West Yorkshire Bus Alliance be endorsed.

 

(iv)          That the current position regarding the potential sale of First West Yorkshire and the work in progress to understand the requirements for delivering bus services in West Yorkshire through a franchising model be noted.

66.

Mass Transit pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on Leeds City Region Mass Transit.

 

The market testing ensured that the views of industry about how mass transit technologies are anticipated to change by the late 2020s/early 2030s. The feedback received would help the Combined Authority develop/design an advanced urban transit system.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)              That the emerging conclusions form the advanced urban market testing be noted.

 

(ii)             That the endorsement of further preparatory works by the Combined authority be noted.

67.

Public Transport Performance Update pdf icon PDF 141 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received an update on recent bus and rail performance.

 

Resolved: That the updates provided in the report be noted.

68.

Leeds City Region Transport Update pdf icon PDF 105 KB

Minutes:

Members considered a report which provided an update on Leeds City Region Transport issues.

 

Resolved: That the report be noted.

69.

Summary of Transport Schemes pdf icon PDF 108 KB

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the transport related schemes approved by the Investment Committee at its meetings on 9 January and 5 February.

 

 Resolved: That the report be noted.