Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2019 (attached).

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

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2019 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.

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 heard that the future role of Peninsula Transport and sub-national transport bodies nationally has been considered, with an aim to establish a core set of functions which they will be required to perform.

Short term funding has been sought from the Department for Transport and is expected to be confirmed as part of the forthcoming budget announcements. The funding allocated will be linked to the delivery of specific outputs by the STB, with ongoing liaison with the Department for Transport. The local authorities will be expected to cover functional costs including staff and resources.

The Board were presented with the approach to be undertaken in order to develop a transport strategy for Peninsula Transport including setting visions and goals, developing scenarios, undertaking specific workstreams, producing a draft and consultation. It was agreed that a low carbon future must be at the heart of the strategy.

Members discussed the potential overlap with work packages being undertaken by Western Gateway STB and identified the possibility for joint working.

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 there has been significant progress during the 2019/2020 financial year, with development funding secured for 2 Major Road Network schemes and 1 Large Local Major scheme. The Economic Connectivity Study has been progressed, as has early work for the Peninsula Transport Strategy. Partnership working with Western Gateway has continued, with the first joint stakeholder meeting held in September 2019.

It was noted that technical and programme management support has been provided by AECOM and Communications support by Seashell Communications.

The Board heard that Peninsula Transport has remained within its budget. The Chair thanked officers for their work in ensuring this was achieved and noted the positive progress made by the STB to date.

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

RESOLVED that

(a)   The financial information presented in the Finance Update Report be approved

(b)   The budget for 2020/2021 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 the website has been further developed, including links to the Peninsula Rail Task Force and other STBs. The core stakeholder forum was held in November, with a further meeting planned for 19 March 2020. A wider stakeholder event is being planned for June 2020 to cover a broader range of stakeholders across the South West Peninsula. Peninsula Transport attended Highways UK as part of the STB Hub in November 2019.

Work with other STB colleagues has been ongoing to ensure there is a single voice talking to government about strategic issues. The Board also welcomed the new ministers in February.

Members commented that initial responses from the Secretary of State for Transport indicates that he is happy with the 2 sub-national transport body set up in the South West.

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

RESOLVED that

(a)   The information presented in the Communications and Engagement Update Report be approved.

Verbal update from the Chair of the Peninsula Rail Task Force.

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

The Board noted that a letter has been sent to CrossCountry with regards to the issues with Voyager trains. The 2019 timetable changes have been received well and this has been fed back to Network Rail. The South West MPs met with the Chair of Peninsula Rail Task Force and the key points of resilience, reliability and connectivity was discussed.

It was noted that current timetabling in some locations does not suit local working patterns, and this has been communicated to Great Western Railway.

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 Sub-National Transport Body.

The Board noted that all 5 authorities have declared Climate Change Emergencies and are developing policies and action plans to respond to this. Peninsula Transport will support the authorities to achieve this.

Peninsula Transport is committed to reducing transport emissions and is investing in understanding the decarbonisation challenge across the transport network. Peninsula Transport will have an important role in encouraging behaviour change to reduce emissions from transport through the development of its transport strategy.

It was agreed that an update on the Climate Change Emergency will be a standing item on the agenda going forwards.

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

The Chair exercised his discretion in varying the order of business at the meeting and brought this agenda item forward to be taken immediately following item 4.

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

The Department for Transport reported on the change of the ministerial team and the future of STB funding. A number of funding opportunities have been launched, including Restoring Your Railway Fund (a budget of £500m split into 3 streams: Ideas Fund, Accelerating Existing Proposals and Proposals for New and Restored Stations), New Station Fund, Access for All (including Lostwithiel Station), Better Deal for Buses, £5bn bus and cycling routes funding and Bikeability. The Better Deal for Bus Transport workshop is being held on Friday 6 March in Exeter. There have also been announcements on further Major Road Network announcements, including 2 schemes in Wiltshire.

The Board stated the ongoing importance of the A303 corridor to the Peninsula Transport area. It was also noted the importance of considering rural and urban isolation, and welcomed the announcement relating to walking, cycling and bus announcements with potential to address this. The Board asked whether there was any additional funding planned for potholes.

Network Rail advised that corridor studies will be progressed, starting with Bristol to Exeter. Western Gateway will also have representation in the officer group working on this. It was advised that the Parsons Tunnel to Teignmouth consultation closed on 1 March 2020, and the responses are to be analysed. The following rail closures were advised: Taunton to Castle Cary (14 March – 3 April) to be diverted via Bristol and Crediton to Barnstaple (13 March – 15 April), rail replacement to be provided.

The Board noted the Cowley Bridge section has coped well with the poor weather recently.

The Heart of the South West LEP reported that the Growth Deal programme is drawing to a close, with over half of the schemes complete. There is one remaining scheme waiting for its final approval.

The Board heard that Western Gateway are continuing work on their 2020 - 2025 Strategic Transport Plan, with an aim of consulting during May and June 2020, with a number of associated workstreams underway.

Highways England advised that the strategic delivery plan will follow the RIS2 announcement, detailing how they will deliver it as well as looking ahead to RIS3. There is a sub-national transport body workshop being held covering this, which will be attended by a Peninsula Transport officer.

Report seeking withdrawal of the A361 Glastonbury & Pilton Pinchpoints Improvements scheme from the Major Road Network priorities list.

The Board considered the report seeking the withdrawal of the A361 Glastonbury & Pilton Pinchpoints Improvements scheme from the Major Road Network priorities list due to limited local support.

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

RESOLVED that

(a)   The Glastonbury and Pilton MRN scheme is to be removed from the list of MRN investment priorities

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

In accordance with the Council's Public Participation Rules, the relevant Board Members responded to 1 question from Members of the public on the A361 Glastonbury and Pilton MRN scheme.

[NB: A copy of the questions and answers are appended to these minutes and are also available on the Council’s Website at https://democracy.devon.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=459&Year=0)

All meetings to be held at County Hall, Exeter, EX2 4QD at 10:00am-

4 June 2020

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 June 2020

All meetings to be held at County Hall, Exeter, EX2 4QD at 10:00am.

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings;

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