Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2020 (attached).

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 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.

The Board received confirmation from the Department of Transport that an indicative funding allocation of £425,000 has been confirmed for the 2021/2022 financial year. This funding is subject to the approval of a Business Plan which is to be submitted to the Department for Transport as soon as possible.

Presentation of the Technical Lead Authority on the latest progress and activities of Peninsula Transport.

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

The Board received an indicative programme of activities linked to the currently funded work packages showing key milestones and reporting aspirations. It was indicated that it is likely public consultation on the High Level Transport Strategy will now be undertaken following the local elections in May.

The Board heard that of the schemes submitted to the Department for Transport in July 2019, there are 4 Major Road Network and 3 Large Local Major schemes still in development. The Plymouth MRN Phase 1 scheme is currently out for consultation: https://plymouth-consult.objective.co.uk/portal/transport/major_road_network_survey_2021/mrn_survey

Possible discussions for future Board meetings were considered, as follows:

·         June 2021: Economic Corridor Study, Carbon Transition Study, Rail Study Phase 1

·         September 2021: Freight Study, EV and Technology, Rural Mobility

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

The Chair exercised his discretion in varying the order of business and brought this item forward.

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

The Department for Transport confirmed that the 2020/2021 work packages have been agreed, subject to final consideration of detailed specifications and governance and reporting activities are underway. The provisional £425,000 funding for 2021/2022 is subject to the approval of a Peninsula Transport Business Plan. The Board were also signposted to the Government's 4-stage roadmap, announced on 22 February, and the key transport information arising from the 3 March budget. This included the Levelling Up Fund, Freeports (Plymouth and South Devon) and the reinstatement of rail passenger services (Okehampton to Exeter).

The Board requested further liaison and guidance from the Department for Transport and Office for Low Emission Vehicles in relation to electric vehicle charging and the impact on highways.

Network Rail provided an update on the impact of the pandemic on passenger services and the industry, demonstrating it is the most affected mode. Updates on the progress of the Birmingham - Bristol and Bristol - Exeter strategic studies were also provided, with studies due to complete in April. A study on Exeter - Penzance is expected to follow. Successful applications to the Restoring Your Railway Fund in the Peninsula were highlighted, with the latest round of the Ideas Fund closing on 5 March 2021.

The Chair thanked Network Rail for the recent upgrade to the St Ives branch line.

Highways England advised that the Secretary of State has granted Development Consent for the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme. Work continues on the capital investment programme for RIS2 and Highways England's Decarbonisation Strategy. The framework for engagement with STBs is also being refreshed.

Western Gateway reported that their Strategic Corridor Partnership Groups have started, with the next meetings due in April. Collaboration opportunities for Western Gateway and Peninsula Transport continue to be explored.

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 elements of the report covering next financial year’s budget has been superseded by the Department for Transport funding announcement. A Business Plan and subsequent budget will be developed and is subject to approval by the Board and Department for Transport.

It was reported that there is an expected accrual into 2021/2022 of £216,551 and that the Local Authorities agreed to maintain their contributions for 2021/2022 totalling £159,820.

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

RESOLVED that

(a)   The revised financial information for 2021/2021 is noted

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

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

The Board noted that Coast Communications have been appointed as the Communications and Public Relations Provider for Peninsula Transport and PRTF for the period January 2021 – March 2022. Coast’s tasks include: building awareness with stakeholders of Peninsula Transport and PRTF and its purpose, ensuring key stakeholders are fully briefed on the work of Peninsula Transport and PRTF and engaging stakeholders around the emerging transport strategy. However, the principle task to date has been to refresh the Communications Strategy, last approved in March 2019. An activity plan and communication protocol will be developed as supporting documents to the strategy.

Councillor Davis thanked Coast for their recent support of PRTF communications activities.

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

RESOLVED that

(a)   The Communications and Engagement report is noted

(b)   The activity plan and communication protocol will be reviewed and approved via email

(c)   Feedback will be provided via email on the interim communications strategy, with the intention of finalising this after the consultation on the high-level transport strategy.

Verbal update from the Peninsula Rail Task Force Chair.

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

The Board were advised that meetings with 15 MPs have been held recently, where key topics of resilience and reliability were discussed. In addition, PRTF met on Friday 26 February and the Rail Strategy Phase 1 work package is currently being commissioned.

Members asked for an update on electrification. Network Rail confirmed that a Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy has been produced.

Verbal update on the Climate Emergency from the Chair of Peninsula Transport.

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

The Board confirmed that a response to the Department for Transport’s Future of Transport Rural Strategy Call for Evidence was submitted. This highlighted key points linking to the Climate Emergency, such as reducing the need to travel, providing alternatives to private car use where possible and enabling opportunities for low carbon travel.

The Board heard that the Local Authorities are continuing to work on their individual responses following their respective Climate Emergency Declarations.

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 at 14:00 until further notice -

21 June 2021

9 September 2021

2 December 2021

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: 

21 June 2021

9 September 2021

2 December 2021

All meetings to be held digitally via Microsoft Teams at 14:00 until further notice.

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings;

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

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 Brown, 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.

Finance Lead Authority to report.

The Board received the report of the Financial Lead Authority on the itemised forecast expenditure information and budget estimate for the 2021/22 financial year.