Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2020 (attached).

It was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Coker, and

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2020 be approved as a true record.

Items which in the opinion of the Chair should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

There were no matters raised as urgent items.

Report of the Governance Lead Authority seeking approval to retain the existing Chair and Vice-Chair arrangements for a further year.

The Board received the Report of the Governance Lead Authority on the Chair and Vice-Chair arrangements.

The Board noted that normally the Chair and Vice-Chair would rotate annually. However, there have been exceptional circumstances this financial year due to the COVID-19 situation. In addition, there are local elections planned for May 2021 which may result in a change in local authority Cabinet Member representation.

It was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Woodman and

RESOLVED that

(a)   The current Chair and Vice-Chair retain their roles until the first Board meeting following the 2021 local elections.

Report of the Finance Lead Authority on the latest financial position.

The Board received the Report of the Finance Lead Authority on the latest financial position.

The Board noted that the Department for Transport have recently announced a financial offer of £425,000 to Peninsula Transport for the current financial year. The revised budget is therefore £647,343. A revised work plan has also been developed, taking note of the requirements of the Department for Transport funding. This indicates an expected expenditure of £622,264.

The Board were advised that this results in a headroom of approximately £25,000. The risk of over-spend can be controlled by postponing work packages, should this be required.

Members discussed and asked questions relating to the certainty of future funding. It was noted that the current Department for Transport funding is only for the current financial year.

The Members acknowledged the ongoing support from the Department for Transport, and expressed their thanks for the current funding allocation whilst looking forward to continued partnership working in the future.

It was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Brown and

RESOLVED that

(a)   The revised financial information for 2020/21 is noted

(b)   The revised budget for 2020/21 of £647,343 be approved

Report of the Communications and Engagement Lead Authority on the latest communications and engagement activity.

The Board received the Report of the Communications and Engagement Lead Authority on the latest communications and engagement activity.

The Board noted that work has continued on developing the Peninsula Transport social media platforms, utilising these to reinforce central Government messaging during the pandemic response and recovery. In addition, the Economic Connectivity Study was published, with the summary and full versions of the report being made available on the website.

Stakeholders have continued to be engaged, culminating in a Transport Forum meeting on 25 August 2020. It was noted by the Chair that the Transport Forum event was well attended and provided positive input from the stakeholders.

The Board noted that the Communications and Engagements activities continue to be undertaken within the agreed financial envelope.

Members discussed and asked questions on the pandemic recovery messaging relating to public transport use. It was suggested that a campaign encouraging travelling with confidence could be beneficial.

It was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Coker and

RESOLVED that

(a)   The Communications and Engagement report is noted

(b)   Peninsula Transport’s Communication Lead will liaise with the Department for Transport to explore options for public transport messaging

Verbal update from the Chair of the Peninsula Rail Task Force (PRTF) on recent activities in addition to a report seeking the approval for the integration of PRTF into the Peninsula Transport governance arrangements.

The Board received the Peninsula Rail Task Force update from Councillor Andrea Davis, Chair of the Peninsula Rail Task Force (PRTF).

The Chair shared the news that Teignbridge District Council have granted planning approval for the second phase of the Dawlish sea wall project. It was also noted that works on the first phase will continue once the summer season concludes.

It has also been announced that the Restoring Your Railway Ideas Fund selected the proposals for new stations at Wellington and Cullompton to progress to the next stage. The Bere Alston to Tavistock rail reopening is a priority for PRTF and is awaiting further announcements. There have also been submissions across the South West Peninsula, including for the northern rail route between Tavistock and Okehampton. Network Rail and Great Western Railway are continuing to progress the Okehampton – Exeter project.

The Board noted that CrossCountry have withdrawn services to a number of stations in Cornwall with no plans to reinstate these.

The Board also received the report seeking the integration of PRTF into the Peninsula Transport governance arrangements. The Board discussed the importance of ensuring that the PRTF identity is retained, whilst simplifying and formalising the current arrangements. The Chair of the Transport Forum noted the importance of ensuring the existing stakeholder groups for PRTF and Peninsula Transport provide opportunities for different audiences to solve different issues and that this is not lost through the rationalisation of the groups. It was agreed that this would be discussed further between the Chair of PRTF and the Chair of the stakeholder groups.

It was clarified that it is not proposed to have a PRTF board meeting in addition to a Peninsula Transport board meeting. Instead, the Chair of PRTF will provide a report to the Peninsula Transport board meetings.

It was MOVED by Councillor Coker, SECONDED by Councillor Woodman and

RESOLVED that

(a)   PRTF becomes an integrated part of the Peninsula Transport governance arrangements

(b)   The amended PRTF terms of reference are approved

(c)   The functions and roles of the stakeholder groups will be discussed

Verbal update on the Climate Change Emergency from the Chair of Peninsula Transport Sub-National Transport Board.

The Board received the Climate Change Emergency update from Councillor Geoff Brown, Chair of Peninsula Transport.

During August, Peninsula Transport provided a response to the Department for Transport’s ‘Transport Decarbonisation Plan’ consultation, noting in particular the importance of demand management as a strategic priority as well as rural mobility solutions.

The Board heard that the Government published new statutory guidance for highway authorities, recognising the pandemic recovery as a once in a generation opportunity to deliver lasting transformative change in how short journeys are made. Tranche I of the Emergency Active Travel Fund allocated £900,000 across the South West Peninsula to delivery temporary measures. It is hoped that allocations of the second tranche of funding will enable the delivery of some permanent measures supporting long-term sustainable travel habits.

It was noted that the Peninsula Transport Board Members met with local representatives of Extinction Rebellion on 4 June 2020 to discuss the climate emergency. It was suggested that in order to engage more community and campaign groups across the wide geographical area of Peninsula Transport, some local events are held to gather community views.

It was agreed that the Communications & Engagement Lead would explore opportunities to tie-in community events with the wider stakeholder engagement.

Co-opted Members to provide updates and feedback from their organisations.

Notice has been given that a presentation from Highways England on the A303 Corridor will be given. [Presenters scheduled to join at 11:15]

The Board received verbal Reports from the Co-opted Members on matters of interest arising from their respective organisations.

Highways England reported that the Strategic Business Plan and Delivery Plan were published in August 2020. These documents set out how the Government’s Road Investment Strategy (RIS) will be delivered over the next 5 years. Following the £15.2bn investment of the first RIS, the £27.4bn investment plan for RIS2 represents a significant increase and demonstrates Government’s commitment to rebuilding the economy.

The Board received a presentation from Highways England providing an update on ‘Unlocking Economic Growth on the A303/A358/A30 Corridor’. The Board heard that the A303 / A358 corridor and the A30 in Cornwall are key priorities that are currently identified in the Road Investment Strategy and there is an aim to get the current schemes through the planning process and starting construction during this roads period. The Board heard an update on the progress of the schemes and expressed their support of the whole corridor upgrade, including the A30 through the Blackdown Hills.

The Board emphasised the importance of this whole route approach to ensure the South West Peninsula has two strategic road corridors connecting to the rest of the country. It was agreed that the Board would respond to the DCO consultations as well as issuing a letter detailing the importance of a whole route corridor approach between London and Cornwall.

The Department for Transport advised that regular COVID-19 related updates have been provided to the key Local Authority contacts and that the current focus is on the school return. In addition, an ‘acceleration unit’ has been announced by the Secretary of State to bring forward road and rail upgrades. However, the scope of the unit has not yet been confirmed. There is also a consultation currently live on proposals to ban antisocial parking.

The Board sought clarification regarding the announcement of allocations for the Emergency Active Travel Fund Tranche 2 and also sought Department for Transport support for the Tamar Crossings. The Board were pleased to receive the offer of STB funding for the current financial year and reiterated their appreciation to the Department for Transport.

Network Rail provided an update on the Restoring Your Railway Fund with announcements due on the second round of the Ideas Fund soon. It was also reported that the first section of Dawlish promenade is now open, Intercity House works have started in Plymouth and Network Rail are continuing to work with Great Western Railway to investigate the reintroduction of passenger services between Okehampton and Exeter. The Bristol – Exeter strategic study has recently had a kick-off meeting and technical work is now underway. There are also a number of planned rail works in the South West in the coming months: Tiverton Parkway track renewals (5 days – 28 September to 2 October), Exmouth Junction renewal (6 days – 25 October to 31 October), platform extension work at Lympstone and Exeter St James Park during Exmouth Junction block and Looe bridge deck replacement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

Questions or Representations from Members of the public in line with the Board’s Public Participation Scheme.

There was no question from a Member of the public.

All meetings to be held digitally via Microsoft Teams until further notice -

4 December 2020 at 14:00

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings;

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

Board Members noted the dates of future meetings as: 

4 December 2020 at 14:00

All meetings to be held digitally via Microsoft Teams until further notice.

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings;

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

Report and presentation of the Technical Lead Authority on the latest progress and activities of Peninsula Transport, including seeking approval for the Department for Transport funding allocation for 2020/2021 financial year and associated work plan implications.

The Chair exercised his discretion in varying the order of business at the meeting and pushed this agenda item back to be taken immediately before the Part II item.

The Board considered the report and presentation of the Technical Lead Authority on the latest progress and activities of Peninsula Transport.

The Board heard an overview of the Economic Connectivity Study, which was published in August 2020. It was noted that the analysis was completed in 2019 and that although it is recognised that transport has changed since COVID-19, the themes and conclusions of the study remain relevant.

It was also reported that work is underway on the High-Level Transport Strategy for Peninsula Transport. There is an aspiration to ensure this is revolutionary rather than evolutionary.

The Board received the report on the ‘Department for Transport Funding Allocation 2020/2021’. It was noted that longer term funding is hoped for but that the Board are very appreciative of the funding allocation for this financial year, enabling a number of work packages to be commissioned. However, there are some conditions associated with the Department for Transport’s funding which will need to be adhered to. In particular, it is important that the scope of the Carbon Transition Strategy and Technology and Electric Vehicle Strategy are discussed with other STBs to ensure that there is collaboration across similar studies and avoidance of duplication.

It was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Brown and

RESOLVED that

(a)   The £425,000 funding allocation, and its associated principles of agreement, from the Department for Transport is approved

(b)   The updated work plan will be circulated to Members for approval

(c)   The ‘Funding and Governance Agreement’, subject to minor changes, between Peninsula Transport and the Department for Transport is approved

(d)   The Board notes that the agreement will be formalised between Plymouth City Council, as Peninsula Transport’s accountable body, and the Department for Transport

(e)   The risk register will be shared with Peninsula Transport Board Members

RECOMMENDATION that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act namely the financial or business affairs of persons tendering for the provision of council goods or services and of the County Council, in both cases, and in accordance with Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, by virtue of the fact that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

It was MOVED by Councillor Woodman, SECONDED by Councillor Davis and

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act namely the financial or business affairs of persons tendering for the provision of council goods or services and of the County Council, in both cases, and in accordance with Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, by virtue of the fact that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

(An item taken under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during which the press and public were excluded)

The Board received the Report of the Technical Lead Authority on the itemised work plan subject to receiving the Department for Transport funding allocation for 2020/2021.