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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Microsoft Teams

Contact: Jamie Hulland 01392 383000  Email: jamie.hulland@devon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

155.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 354 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2022.  

Minutes:

It was MOVED by Councillor Drean, SECONDED by Councillor Desmonde and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2022 be approved as a true record.

156.

Items requiring urgent attention

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

Minutes:

There were no matters raised as urgent items.

157.

Peninsula Transport Update

Verbal update of the Programme Lead on the latest progress and activities of Peninsula Transport.

Minutes:

The Board heard a verbal update on the progress of Peninsula Transport since the July Board Meeting.

-       All commissioned work packages are on track for completing this year and once completed will form part of the evidence base for the region.

-       The Detailed Transport Strategy and Strategic Implementation Plan – work has commenced and are being developed in parallel.

-       Work Package 7 – report is being updates after being circulated for comments. Final report will be circulated for further comment in October 2022.

-       Work Package 8 – report is being updates after being circulated for comment. Updated report to be circulated in November and be formally signed off at December Board.

-       Work Package 12 – Draft report has been circulated for comment and intended to come to the December Board for formal sign-off.

-       Work Package 15 – Workshops are currently taking place with work progressing through the rest of this year.

-       Work Package 17 (SIP) – work has commenced with reviewing all strategic schemes in the region.

-       Freight Forum – Peninsula Transport and Western Gateway are now part funding this.

-       Public Transport Review – work has commenced to gain an understanding of user experience.

-       Working with National Highways on the RIS3 development. Consultation for this is due to start soon and Peninsula Transport will make a formal response to this.

-       Working with Network to look at options for investment in the region.

-       Great British Rail – written a formal response to the primary legislation consultation.

-       Additional Resources – extra secondments are now in place to take forward the technical work and support both the Technical Director and Program Director to deliver ambitious work programmes going forward.

 

 

 

 

 

158.

Public Transport Review pdf icon PDF 108 KB

Report on the review of transport in the south west and the current public transport service in the peninsula.

 

Verbal update and short presentation from Mel Watson on Cornwall Bus Fares Pilot.

Minutes:

The Board received a report and presentation from Bryony Chetwode, the Technical Lead from Travel Watch South West.

 

The Board heard about the work that has been undertaken in order to review the user experience attributed to public transport across the region. The aim of this work was to understand where there are challenges and what the cause of these are as well as where the best practice is going on within the region and how this can be shared.

 

The Board heard that this review is the first step in achieving a consistent level of service across the region, including across local authority boundaries, that is journey led. The review looked at different measures of passenger satisfaction including reliability, ticket offers, journey planning and journey frequency. Through this, the review identified that the key issues are around service reliability and punctuality, lack of real time information, and a lack of consistency around ticketing. The review recognised that passengers travel across the public transport network for different purposes which impacts their experience. The recommendation of the review are to create multi-operator ticketing, fare capping, intermodal time-tabling and multimodal multi-operator ticketing.

 

The Board commented on the categorisation of passengers and recognised that passengers currently categorised as ‘leisure passengers’ is not truly reflective and suggests that they are not essential. It was also recognised the ‘Essential’ category could be confused with ‘Essential Workers’ as opposed to users that have to use public transport as they have no other means. The Board asked for this to be revised and changed to ‘discretionary passengers’. The Board also discussed matter around digital communication and determined the need to improve mobile connectivity in relation to public transport.

 

The Board also received a presentation from a representative of Cornwall Council setting out their experience of implementing the Bus Fare Pilot Scheme in Cornwall. This was a key scheme that shows the successes of a multi-operator transport system that is consistent for passengers. Key outcomes of the pilot were enabling users to purchase a bus ticket that enabled them to travel on any bus within Cornwall, a discounted/capped bus fares that are consistent across the area and one network map.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Drean, SECONDED by Councillor Rigby and RESOLVED that:

 

a.     The Board noted the initial findings of the Public Transport Network Review as approved within the Business Plan for 2022/23.

b.     Officers are delegated to take the key recommendations and interventions and develop plans for implementing these through further work at the STB level and also supporting Local Authorities in implementing their Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIPs)

159.

Carbon Transition Study (WP06) pdf icon PDF 120 KB

Report of the technical consultants seeking approval of the final Carbon Transition Study by the Board.

Minutes:

The Board received the Report of the Technical Lead consultant on the key findings and recommendations of the study.

 

The Board heard that a Carbon Transition Study report has been produced. The report details that behaviour change, decarbonising modes of transport and creating more choice and efficiency is the three key means of decarbonising transport. The study recognises the STBs role within decarbonising transport is to give one clear voice to the Department for Transport about plans for the region as well as having a strategic understanding of issues across the region. The study identifies three key priority areas where Peninsula Transport can actively lead on the implementation of interventions. These are public transport prioritisation, electric network of the future and zero emissions bus fleet implementation.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Rigby, SECONDED by Councillor Drean and RESOLVED that:

 

a.     The Board approved the carbon transition priority actions developed as part of the Carbon Transition Strategy.

160.

Finance Update pdf icon PDF 103 KB

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

Minutes:

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

 

The Board heard that the business plan was previously agreed and the spend to date is within budget. Spend is currently not high but anticipated to increase as figures are still coming through as a result of the summer leave period. Additional resourcing is also anticipated to be reflective in the financials at the next board meeting.

 

Members noted the financial information set out in the report and confirmed that Part II of the Board Meeting is not required.

 

 

161.

Communications and Engagement Update pdf icon PDF 134 KB

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

Minutes:

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

 

The Board noted that a number of activities have taken place since July, including publishing the Freight Strategy and setting up the Freight Steering Groups and preparing to publish the Rural Mobility. The STB have responded to two consultations which are the A38 Carkeel to Trerulefoot safety package from National Highways and Great British Rail consultation relating to primary legislation.

 

Looking ahead, currently finalising materials to publish the business plan on the website and carrying out a refresh of the website structure to future proof the layout for future work. Materials are continuing to be produced to be published online to promote the STB, including creating a better platform on social media through LinkedIn.

The Board noted the paper and acknowledged the positive role of LinkedIn and thanked Becky for her continued hard work to date.

162.

Peninsula Rail Update

Verbal update from the Peninsula Rail Task Force (PRTF) Chair and Network Rail on recent activities.

 

Network Rail to update on Control Period 7 planning process and programme.

Minutes:

The Board received a verbal update from the Peninsula Rail Task Force (PRTF) Chairman.

 

The Board heard that PRTF met on the 23 September 2022. Matters around decarbonising rail were discussed through battery and hydrogen trains as well as Great Western Railways proposed trial of batter powered trains on the Greenford branch line and the Great British Rail primary legislation consultation.

 

The Board also received a verbal update from Network Rail on the CP7 Business Planning and general update. With regards to CP7 lots of work ongoing including workshops and focus groups with stakeholders, passengers and the challenge panel. Six value outcomes have been identified and currently looking at funding proposals under two scenarios. The Board also heard about other ongoing work including about the South West Resilient Program, Restore Your Railways and South West Mobile Connectivity.

 

The Board received a summary update on the response made to the Great British Railways on primary legislation.

 

The Board asks for an update on South West Mobile Connectivity to be included on the agenda for the December Board Meeting.

163.

National Highways Update

Presentation from National Highways on the Route Strategies and RIS3 process.

Minutes:

The Board received a verbal update from National Highways about the Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3).

 

The Board heard about the work that National Highways have done to date in relation to RIS3. There is going to be an upcoming consultation on RIS3 which is a good opportunity to STBs to publicly state their views on what should be included within the RIS. National Highways welcomes a response from Peninsula Transport once this consultation is live.

 

The Board discussed the role of the STB in the consultation and decision-making process relating to RIS3. The Board recognises that the list of schemes is not exhaustive, and more consideration could be given to the schemes included.

 

The Board recognises and thanks National Highways for their participation and welcomes a further RIS3 update at the December Board Meeting.

164.

Co-Opted Members Update

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

Minutes:

The Board received updates from the co-opted members covering matters of interesting arising from their respective organisations.

 

Department for Transport shared that they have a new ministerial team in place, including a new Secretary of State. The DfT shared that there are ongoing discussions over other schemes included as part of the 2022 Growth Plan. A total of 38 investment zones have also been identified, these are designed to drive growth and housing delivery in the UK and applications for expression of interest opened earlier this month.

 

The Board also heard that the Bus Recovery Grant has now been extended to March 2023 and the Bus Fares Pilot scheme will introduce a £2 cap on bus fares from January 2023 in participating areas. Confirmation over the next round of funding for Bus Service Improvement Plans will be coming shortly.

 

The Board also heard that Local Authorities have been invited to submit proposals for capital funding. The Levelling Up Fund bids are continuing to be assessed, and although this is not directly from DfT, the DfT have almost completed their involvement in this. The Local Transport Plan Guidance is due to go to consultation in Autumn 2022 with the final guidance to be released in Spring 2023. The guidance will reflect administrative changes as well as including decarbonisation and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

 

Heart of South West LEP shared that the Great South West Energy Summit is being held in November at the University of Plymouth. The southwest has lots of potential within this with on-shore and off-shore wind and solar power. This will be an opportunity to understand what the electricity network should look like and the capability for it to support all potential electrified modes.

165.

Public Participation

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

Minutes:

No questions received and no representatives joined.

166.

Dates of Future Meetings

All meetings will be held digitally via Microsoft Teams until further notice:

 

8 December 2022 (10:00)

 

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings;

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

Minutes:

Board Members noted the dates of future meetings as: 

 

8 December 2022.

 

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings;

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

167.

Exclusion of the Press & Public

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.

Minutes:

It was MOVED by Councillor     , SECONDED by Councillor      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.

168.

Finance Update: Itemised Expenditure Estimate for 2021/22 Financial Year

Finance Lead Authority to report.

Minutes:

In the Part I Finance Update it was confirmed that Part II of the Board Meeting is not required.

 


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