Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2019 (attached).

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 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, including the Economic Connectivity Study.

The Board considered the Report of the Technical Lead Authority on the latest progress and activities of Peninsula Transport, including the progress of the Economic Connectivity Study.

The submission of the Regional Evidence Base to the Department for Transport in July 2019 was confirmed. 6 schemes on the Major Road Network, totalling £254m, and 3 Large Local Major schemes, totalling £302m, were included as asks for investment.

On 30 September 2019, it was been confirmed in an announcement from the Department from Transport that 3 schemes supported by Peninsula Transport will receive co-development funding. These are:

·         A38 (Bristol Airport access improvement)

·         A38 Manadon Interchange (Plymouth)

·         A374/A386/A3064 Plymouth MRN Phase 1

Discussions are continuing with the Department for Transport around co-development of the other schemes submitted with further information expected.

The next step for Peninsula Transport will be to develop a Transport Strategy. Resourcing for this has been considered, with 4 scenarios under differing levels of investment submitted to the Department for Transport. It was noted that central government funding will be needed to support the ongoing activities of the sub-national transport body.

Members heard how Peninsula Transport have been involved in a number of activities designed to engage stakeholders and raise awareness of the STB. These activities are ongoing, with Peninsula Transport being represented at Highways UK on 6/7 November 2019 and a Transport Forum planned for 21 November 2019 in Plymouth.

Members also heard an update on the Economic Connectivity Study, being undertaken by AECOM and Connected Economics. It is expected that this study will be complete in the next month. The study aims to consider long-term strategic issues facing transport and connectivity across the South West Peninsula, focusing on 5 key themes of decarbonisation, digitisation, urbanisation, the world of work and flexible lifestyles as well as spatial and corridor-based analysis.

Members asked whether the emissions statistics presented included all modes, and it was confirmed these are highway emissions only.

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

RESOLVED that

(a)   Arrangements continue for the Officer Group / Project Directors to approve the Economic Connectivity Study with delegated authority;

(b)   A Transport Strategy workshop with Members be convened to determine the next stage of work for Peninsula Transport.

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

In accordance with the Board’s Public Participation Rules, the relevant Board Members responded to 7 questions from Members of the public on the Climate Emergency.

Cabinet Members also responded orally to supplementary questions arising from the above. 

The Chair thanked all the public speakers for their contributions.

[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)

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 heard that the expenditure planned of Peninsula Transport is currently affordable and within the overall budget. However, it was noted that currently there is not sufficient money to support a full Transport Strategy and external funding support from the Department for Transport will be necessary. The activities to date have been funded by the constituent authorities.

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

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 the website has been developed, with plans to make it more dynamic. In addition, the audience of the Twitter page has been building with important messages retweeted and key headlines from Peninsula Transport shared. South West Peninsula MPs are receiving regular updates from Peninsula Transport.

Members were given a demonstration of the website (www.peninsulatransport.org.uk/) and Twitter (@PensTransport) pages. The offer from Network Rail to collaborate in order to improve the rail section of the website was welcomed.

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 Network Rail are investing in a number of schemes in the South West currently, in line with the existing Peninsula Rail Task Force strategy. Recent engagement activities have been well received by the local population at Dawlish. Councillor Davis also met the Minister of State with responsibility for rail, Chris Heaton-Harris and thanked him for the flood alleviation works at Cowley Bridge. Government’s commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 2050 and the role that rail would play in this was also discussed. Cllr Davis also invited him to visit the South West.

Co-opted Members to provide updates and feedback from their organisations, to include a presentation from Network Rail regarding strategic rail planning.

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

The Board also received a presentation from Network Rail covering a strategic rail planning update. It was noted that Sunday 15 December 2019 sees a large scale timetable change, as a result of a number of infrastructure changes between Paddington and Penzance. In addition, there is a proposal for a phased approach to strategic planning across the Peninsula geography, with studies responding to PRTF strategic themes in set localities. The West of England study is underway and due to be complete by March 2020.

The Board also heard that works at Barnstaple have commenced, whilst works at the junction east of Taunton and the completion of works at Whiteball Tunnel will be undertaken on 9 – 14 November. Travel information is available at www.GWR.com/taunton with information about the work itself at www.networkrail.co.uk/somerset  

The Board were advised that work is underway at Dawlish, with work planned to complete in Spring 2020 and design work is continuing for the next section towards Dawlish Warren. The Parsons Tunnel – Teignmouth team are planning a second round of consultation, with details being worked up currently.

The Department for Transport provided an update which highlighted that there have been a number of investment announcements from the Department for Transport including the Major Road Network schemes and the ‘First Steps in a Bus Revolution’ includes the new ‘Superbus’ networks, starting with Cornwall, and focusing on fares, frequency and priority.

Western Gateway advised that they are looking at the next steps for the STB and working on a rail strategy. There has been dialogue with the Department for Transport about the schemes submitted to the Major Road Network (MRN) and Large Local Majors (LLM) funds. It was also noted that Western Gateway will also be at Highways UK in November 2019.

Highways England reported that they were asked to comment on MRN and LLM schemes that were submitted, with a focus predominantly on those closest to the Strategic Road Network (SRN). It was noted that there is a desire to work closely with the co-development of successful schemes where it impacts the SRN.

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly LEP are continuing to work with colleagues at Cornwall Council on drawing up a long list of projects.

Heart of the South West LEP advised that they are continuing to work on the Local Industrial Strategy, with a slot provided at the Transport Forum in November.

Members discussed and asked questions on the importance of the rail connectivity between Taunton and Bristol and the decarbonisation of the railway.

Presentation from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.

The Board received apologies from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. A note was provided to the Board Members which highlighted that the Department for Transport are planning to launch a call for evidence in Autumn 2019 as part of the Future of Mobility Regulatory Review. There is an intention that sub-national transport bodies will be engaged in this process. As such, it is intended that a half day workshop will be arranged for Members to discuss the Future of Mobility Regulatory Review. Dates will be circulated with Taunton as a suggested venue.

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

5 March 2020

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: 

5 March 2020

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