Agenda and minutes

Venue: 2 pm as a remote meeting

Items
No. Item

11.

Open Forum

Open session for members of the public to ask a question, raise a concern or provide feedback.

Minutes:

There were no issues raised at the meeting which were not covered on the agenda.

12.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from John Churms, public representative.

13.

Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Transport Committee members only.

Minutes:

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

14.

Exempt Information - Possible exclusion of the press and public

Minutes:

There were no items which required the exemption of the press or public.

15.

Minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2019 pdf icon PDF 155 KB

Minutes:

Further to minute 4, Baghill Station, Pontefract, Northern Rail would provide the Sub-Committee with feedback in respect of the comments made regarding the need to upgrade the station and the level of service.

 

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2019 be approved.

16.

Minutes of the joint DCSC held on 17 July 2020 pdf icon PDF 149 KB

Minutes:

Further to minute 2, the Sub-Committee discussed the provision of toilets at Kirkgate Rail Station and also the lack of shelter for passengers on platforms 2 and 3.  Northern Rail advised that both projects were being led by Grand Central and had not yet been progressed as many of their staff had been furloughed during the pandemic.  However Northern Rail would seek an update and also investigate the possibility of providing some temporary shelter for the platforms.

 

Resolved:  That the minutes of the joint meeting of the District Consultation Sub-Committees be noted.

17.

Chair's Update

Minutes:

The Chair highlighted the concerns regarding the fragility and uncertainty of the Government continuing to fund the provision of bus services during the pandemic.

 

It was reported that Government had announced the continuation of the COVID-19 Bus Services Subsidy Grant (CBSSG) but this would be on a rolling eight week basis.  Transport arrangements had been made to support the return to school/college which had needed approximately 60 additional buses and the Department for Education had awarded £1.9 million to the Combined Authority to meet the cost of the additional school transport provision over the first half term.

 

It was reported that the Combined Authority and bus operators were discussing proposals for an enhanced partnership which would be of benefit for all.

 

 

18.

Information Report pdf icon PDF 207 KB

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee noted a report which provided an update on matters relating to the Wakefield district.

 

It was noted that the Transport Committee receive updates on regional and national issues and the latest information provided was available on the Combined Authority’s website.

 

Resolved:  That the information report and Sub-Committee’s comments be noted.

19.

Operator Updates

Minutes:

The meeting was attended by representatives from the rail and bus operators who provided the Sub-Committee with updates.

 

Northern

 

Northern advised that since the start of the pandemic there have been 6 timetables which have been introduced as services are gradually being reinstated and passenger numbers increase.  They had also introduced a new  flexible season ticket.  It was noted that during the summer months there had been an upsurge in patronage on leisure services to tourist and retail areas but this had now dropped following the reopening of schools and colleges in September. 

 

It was reported that compliance with the wearing of face masks was generally good and had improved when it had been made compulsory to wear them in shops.  Comment was made there had been concerns about social distancing on the Barnsley service, particularly at peak times, but it was hoped that the introduction of an additional service would help to alleviate this.

 

In respect of local lockdowns, Northern advised that they were liaising closely with local authorities to ensure that their communications and messaging were in harmony.

 

The Sub-Committee was advised that the proposed plans to introduce a direct route from Wakefield to Bradford were still being considered.  However if this  were to go ahead, it would not be until after the work on Platform 0 at Leeds Station has been completed as there was no available pathway through the station at the present time.

 

Arriva

 

It was reported that due to the pandemic, additional capacity had been arranged for the school network and funding had been awarded by the Department for Education to support the return to school/college in September.

 

The Sub-Committee discussed the social distancing arrangements at Wakefield Bus Station.  Arriva advised of the safety measures which had been introduced at all their bus stations which also included Wakefield. 

 

Resolved:  That the operators be thanked for their updates.

 

20.

Workshop Session - Carbon Reduction Pathways

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee was given a presentation on West Yorkshire carbon emission reduction pathways which was one of the significant areas of activity being undertaken by the Combined Authority to tackle the climate emergency. 

 

It was reported that the Combined Authority had commissioned a study to identify potential carbon emission reduction pathways and the interventions that need to be implemented if the net zero carbon 2038 target is to be achieved.

 

It was noted that the current situation relating to COVID 19 had had a significant impact on plans to engage and consult with stakeholders on the findings of this work.  However the planned work and emerging results was now being tested with partners and stakeholders and the Sub-Committee discussed the key messages resulting from the pathways work.  The following comments and observations were made:

 

·         Essential that young people are made aware of the challenges and the role they have to play in forward thinking.

·         It was considered that the recent announcement by Leeds City Council regarding abandoning their clean air zone project could send the wrong message to the public.

·         Need to recognise that the increase in people working from home is due to the pandemic and not because of the climate emergency and reducing carbon emissions.

 

A copy of the presentation would be circulated and the Sub-Committee was thanked for their feedback. They were asked to forward any further comments to the Combined Authority. 

 

Resolved:  That the presentation and the Sub-Committee’s feedback be noted.