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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Microsoft Teams and Lucombe House, County Hall

Contact: Hannah Clark 01392 383000  Email: hannah.clark@devon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

183.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 89 KB

To approve the minutes from the meeting held on 8th December 2022.  

Minutes:

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as a true record.

184.

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.

185.

Peninsula Transport Update pdf icon PDF 276 KB

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

Minutes:

The Board received a presentation.

-        The core staff strategy was shown to the board members. This includes 5 full time positions.

-        This structure has been developed with assistance from Councillor Davis and Plymouth City Council for most suitable shape.

-        The structure is waiting on approval within the next 6 months.

-        It was added that this structure is the minimum standard expected of STBs in the future.

-        Ideally staffing structure will be put in as soon as practically possible.

-        It was requested that there be further clarification and milestones on the recruitment process, to give the board reassurance.

 

Action: Plymouth City Council to give regular progress updates.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Drean and RESOLVED that the staffing structure will be taken forward.

 

 

 

 

 

186.

Draft Transport Strategy & Strategic Implementation Plan (WP15 & WP17) pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Report of the draft Transport Strategy development, seeking approval for the proposed approach to developing the document ahead of consultation.

Minutes:

The Board received a report and presentation, and heard that:

-        Strategy must be flexible and future-proof. It must align with national policies, targets and priorities.

-        Integrating travel modes in the next few years so by 2035 they can be fully integrated into a reliable network

-        SIP brings together all investment schemes and interventions planned for the Peninsula. Low cost = £2.24bn, high cost = £2.86bn

-        Route Map throughout 2023 to a Peninsula Draft Strategy for consultation over the summer

 

The Board raised queries as to whether the programme can be delivered without a permanent staffing structure. It was explained that it can be, but the sooner a permanent staffing structure is in place the better: the strategy requires commitment and time to deliver, which can be brough in by permanent staffing.

 

The Board stated that there should be consideration to the MRN (Major Road Network) within the strategy.

 

It was stated by the Board that care should be taken with specified time frames as this can tie key parties into commitments that they may not be able to fulfil. Instead, it was suggested to use a ‘sequence’ rather than a time scale. It was agreed that flexibility is key, but a rigid time scale can help push on progress.

 

It was considered by the Board that 2024 leadership changes could affect the progress of the strategy; therefore, a clear message is needed so that new leaders can understand the strategy.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Drean, SECONDED by Councillor Donnithorne and RESOLVED that the recommendations be taken forward.

187.

Technology & ZEV Strategy (WP07) pdf icon PDF 120 KB

Report of the lead officer requesting approval of the Technology and Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy.

Minutes:

The Board received a presentation which gave detail on:

-        Technology imperatives: Dependable energy supply and distribution networks and robust all-inclusive digital communications networks

-        Recommendations: Form relationships with energy suppliers and network operators, collaboration with partners, development of energy supply roadmap for the Peninsula, promote technology pilots and trials, produce regional assessment of EV network, and digital collaboration.

-        Themes: Energy, Digital, and Mobility

-        7 specific technology interventions

 

It was stated by the board that ‘cold-spots’ through Torbay is still an issue. Network connectivity is an issue and limits the usage of transport apps.

 

The Board stated that STB must partner with Network Suppliers and other stakeholders to understand the constraints and how to prioritise certain areas, e.g. holidaymakers/visitor areas.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Drean and RESOLVED that the recommendations be taken forward.

188.

Rail Strategy (WP08) pdf icon PDF 88 KB

Report of the lead officer seeking approval of the Peninsula Rail Strategy subjective to PRTF (Peninsula Rail Task Force) endorsement.

Minutes:

The Board received a presentation on the Rail Strategy.

-        It was discussed how the strategy aligns with other work packages to avoid duplication of work. E.g. ensuring bus timetables can align with rail times.

-        It was noted that the STB must identify its role

-        There were general discussions on how rail has recovered since Covid-19 in the South West. Whilst this is relatively strong, there are less journeys for daily commutes and longer distance routes.

-        The importance of rail: a travel option for an ageing population and can reduce isolation.

-        What the Peninsula has at present

-        The need for integration of bus and car travel with rail

-        Priority themes of the strategy include journey times, enhanced stations, and integrated mobility solutions.

 

There were general discussions about building new stations and that this requires more confidence from councillors, currently higher costs and delays with station builds.

 

The Board states that regional rail strategy needs to align with Peninsula aims.

 

Recommendation 1: The Board notes the Executive Summary document produced to reflect the recommendations of the Peninsula Rail Strategy.

 

Recommendation 2: The Board approve the recommendations for the strategy set out in Executive Summary

 

Recommendation 3: The Board delegates authority to the Chair of Peninsula Transport and the lead Board member for Peninsula Rail Task Force (PRTF) to make any further changes following the next meeting of the PRTF and these be reported for information at the next Full Board meeting.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Drean and RESOLVED that the recommendations (in principle) be taken forward.

189.

Draft Business Plan pdf icon PDF 114 KB

Report of the Programme Director on the proposed Business Plan for financial year 23/24, seeking approval of proposed budget allocation and work programme.

Minutes:

The Board received a presentation on the draft business plan. This gave detail of:

-        An indicative budget of £649,000 has been used as the basis of the plan

-        DfT business plan guidance sets out the main functions of STBs

-        Draft proposals are subject to agreement with DfT

-        Progress to date includes South West Freight Strategy, Rural Mobility Strategy and many more

-        Priorities for 23/24: strategy consultation and adoption, SIP development and prioritisation, Regional Centres of Excellence (EV Tool development and Carbon Baseline Modelling), Public Transport, Freight, and Rural Mobility

-        Progress to date


It was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Drean and RESOLVED that the recommendations be taken forward.

190.

Finance Update pdf icon PDF 111 KB

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

Minutes:

The Board received a brief overview from the Finance Lead Authority on the latest financial position.

 

The Board noted that:

-        Forecast is shown in papers

-        Budget should be fine with some contingency funds. This contingency fund has dropped by 120k with what was previously allocated, due to reduction in DfT funding.

-        Overall it is positive

 

Board members are asked to note and approve the revised budget and that the committed expenditure remain affordable.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Morey, and RESOLVED that the recommendations be taken forward.

 

 

 

191.

Communications and Engagement Update pdf icon PDF 141 KB

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

Minutes:

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

 

The Board noted that:

-        Peninsula LinkedIn page has been made

-        22/23 plan is coming to an end, so 23/24 plan is in progress: focus areas will be showing technical works and a regular stream of STB work

 

192.

Peninsula Rail Update

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

193.

Co-Opted Members Update pdf icon PDF 102 KB

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

Minutes:

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

 

Depart for Transport

The board heard that a full update has been distributed to all emails. This includes updates on buses, active travel, local transport plan guidance and Levelling Up fund. The Board requested that funding be put into an email for clarity; details of this can be found within the distributed update.

 

National Highways

The Board noted that a full update was available in the Agenda Pack. This included RIS3 updates, schemes updates and updates on the Road Safety Communications Campaign.

 

Network Rail

The Board noted that the full update from Network Rail has been distributed to all emails. Rail investment is good now, and strike action is still occurring. The Board heard that Project Reach will accelerate trackside fibre and mast upgrades to enhance wireless connectivity on trains and in stations.

194.

Public Participation

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

Minutes:

There was no question from a Member of the public.

 

 

 

195.

Dates of Future Meetings

All meetings to be held via Microsoft Teams, at 10am:

 

29th June

28th September

  

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: 

 

29 June 2023

28 September 2023

 

All meetings to be held via Microsoft Teams, at 10am.

 

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings;

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


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