Agenda and minutes

To note the appointment of the Chair of the Transport Delivery Committee made at the AGM of the West Midlands Combined Authority Board on 23 June 2017

The committee noted the appointment of Councillor Richard Worrall to the position of Chair that was made at the AGM of the West Midlands Combined Authority Board on 23 June 2017.

To note the appointment of Vice-Chairs of the Transport Delivery Committee made at the AGM of the West Midlands Combined Authority on 23 June 2017

The committee noted the appointment of Councillor Philip Davis and Councillor Timothy Huxtable to the position as Vice-Chairs that was made at the AGM of the West Midlands Combined Authority Board on 23 June 2017.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Robert Alden, Councillor Gurcharan Sidhu and Councillor Richard Worrall.

Councillor Philip Davis took that Chair as Councillor Richard Worrall was unavoidably away on family business.  The Vice-Chair welcomed returning members and new members Councillor Mohammed Hanif and Councillor Gurcharan Sidhu to the Authority’s Transport Delivery Committee.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2017 were agreed and signed by the Vice-Chair as a correct record.

(a)       Financial Outturn Report (minute no. 121(a)16 refers)

Councillor Ted Richards expressed concern at the continued changes being made to the X70 timetable and its route.  The Head of Network Delivery explained the reasoning behind National Express West Midlands decision to make more changes to the X70 service and assured the committee that Transport for West Midlands continued to monitor and review these changes.

(b)      Financial Outturn Report (minute No. 121/(b)16 refers)

Councillor Judith Rowley explained that she had yet to receive a briefing note with regard to rail station cycle facilities.  The Head of Programme Development agreed to re-send a copy of the briefing note to Councillor Judith Rowley.

Councillor Mohammed Fazal submitted a petition containing 77 signatures requesting the installation of a bus stop between Fernley Road and Evelyn Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham. 

Resolved:

(1)   That the petition be noted.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Governance that set out the terms of reference for the Transport Delivery Committee which had been agreed by the West Midlands Combined Authority Board on 7 April 2017, as part of the WMCA’s Constitution.  Councillor Philip Davis welcomed the terms of reference as continuing to reflect the core oversight role of Transport Delivery Committee and the detailed work members did for and with transport users and providers.

Resolved:

(1)  The terms of reference for Transport Delivery Committee for 2017-18 as set out in the report be noted.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Governance that set out the schedule of meetings for the Transport Delivery Committee for 2017-18.

Resolved:

(1)   Meetings of the Transport Delivery Committee be held at 1:00pm on the following dates:    

4 September 2017

9 October 2017

6 November 2017

4 December 2017

8 January 2018

5 February 2018

5 March 2018

9 April 2018

14 May 2018

11 June 2018

The committee considered a report of the Head of Governance on the appointment of Lead Members and members to sit on other bodies for 2017-18.

The Transport Delivery Committee for 2016-17 had three lead members (in addition to the Chair and Vice-Chair).  At its meeting on 12 June 2017, this committee agreed a motion that proposed a proportional model of working, within its existing Special Responsibility Allowance budget, namely: 1 x Chair (Labour) x2 Vice-Chairs (x1 Labour and x1 Conservative) and Lead Members (x2 Labour and x1 Conservative).  This approach was approved by the West Midlands Combined Authority Board on 23 June 2017.

The Vice-Chair reported that the appointments to Lead Member positions and the specific portfolio responsibilities had yet to be determined.  He proposed that a Task & Finish Group be established consisting of Chair and Vice-Chairs to undertake a review of the appointments and portfolio responsibilities.  A report would be submitted to the next meeting, along with a recommendation as to the appointments to the Lead Member positions for 2017-18 and portfolio responsibilities.

Pending the review the current Lead Members would remain in post, subject to the following agreed change in the Safe & Sustainable Transport Lead.  The Vice-Chair explained that Councillor Judith Rowley would be replaced by Councillor Diana Holl-Allen as a Lead Member for 2017-18.  He thanked Councillor Judith Rowley for her work and contribution to safety, equality and sustainable transport issues over the years.

Resolved:

(1)   A Task & Finish Group be established that comprised of the Chair and Vice-Chairs to review the appointments to the Lead Member positions and specific portfolio responsibilities; and

(2)   A report with a recommendation as to the appointments to the Lead Member positions for 2017-18 and portfolio responsibilities be presented to 4 September meeting.

The committee considered a report of the Chair and Vice-Chair on the achievements of the Authority’s Transport Delivery Committee during 2016-17.

Councillor Daniel Warren welcomed the report and commented that the Wolverhampton Interchange project, which was considered to be one of the biggest interchange projects happening in the region at the moment, was not mentioned within the report.  Councillor Philip Davis proposed that in future the Annual Review Report be circulated to members in draft for comments.

Resolved:

(1) The report be noted.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Finance that set out the financial position as at 31 May 2017; the first report for 2017-18 financial year.

Councillor David Stanley enquired about the cost of the Metro track replacement works in Wolverhampton, previous works undertaken on the Bilston Road in Wolverhampton and remedial track replacement works in Birmingham City Centre.  The Lead Accountant for Transport agreed to provide a briefing note in relation to the costs associated to these schemes to Councillor David Stanley, Councillor Roger Horton, Councillor Daniel Warren and Councillor Judith Rowley.

Resolved:

(1)   The year to date net revenue expenditure for 2017-18 showed a favourable variance of £0.194m compared to budget be noted.  There was no change in the full year position to date;

(2)   The total capital expenditure within the overall transport programme was over budget by £0.3m (5%) be noted; and

(3)   It be noted that the treasury indicators were within expected range and there were no issues to highlight.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Programme Development that provided a progress monitoring update on the approved TfWM led 2017-18 programmes and projects.

The Vice-Chair asked about the current status of the WMCA Asset Management System project.  The Head of Programme Development, stated that the position had improved since the performance dashboard report was prepared.

Councillor Timothy Huxtable enquired about the length of time the Birmingham City Centre One Station project would be on hold and highlighted the importance of its introduction alongside the opening of HS2 in 2026.  The Head of Programme Development provided further details around the status of the project and, as requested, agreed to arrange a briefing for the Vice-Chair and Councillor Roger Horton.

Councillor Timothy Huxtable proposed that a briefing session for Transport Delivery Committee be held when further information about the scope of the project had been receive, giving members the opportunity to comment on the proposals in terms of connectivity and how the project would work for the region.  The Head of Programme Development noted this request and agreed to arrange a briefing session for this committee at the appropriate time.

Councillor Roger Horton requested a progress update on the improvements to the ground infrastructure to improve wifi on-board the trams.  The Head of Programme Development agreed to provide a briefing note to Councillor Roger Horton in respect of the project.

Councillor Adrian Andrew enquired about the Bus Station Refurbishment project, making particular reference to Walsall St Pauls and the visioning workshop that was held on 26 May.  The Director of Transport Services agreed to provide Councillor Adrian Andrew with a briefing note in respect of the workshop and on the progress to date.

In response to a question raised by Councillor Roger Horton, the Head of Programme Development explained the reasons for the delay in the installation of the new totems at New Street Station and envisaged that this would be installed during August. 

Resolved:

(1)   The achievements since 8 May 2017 meeting of the Transport Delivery Committee be noted;

(2)   Progress of deliverables under the 2017-18 Capital Programme be noted; and

(3)   Variations from the baseline programme where indicated be noted.

Councillor Kath Hartley presented a report seeking the endorsement of Transport Delivery Committee for the West Midlands Combined Authority Board to formally make the Solihull Town Centre Advanced Quality Partnership Scheme. 

The Head of Network Delivery explained that as part of the governance process the proposal for a Solihull Town Centre Advanced Quality Partnership Scheme had to be presented to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council on 10 August 2017 for formal approval, and he therefore proposed an amendment to recommendation no. 2 of the report as follows:

“As per the terms of reference for the Transport Delivery Committee, it be recommended to the West Midlands Combined Authority Board that the Solihull Town Centre Advanced Quality Bus Partnership Scheme is formally agreed and made in August 2017 for implementation in November 2017, subject to approval by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council at its meeting on 10 August 2017”.

The Head of Network Delivery added that an Advanced Quality Partnership Scheme was introduced in towns and cities where there was investment going into the area and the introduction of the Solihull Advanced Quality Partnership followed the improvements made as part of Solihull Gateway and Lode Lane schemes.

Councillor Timothy Huxtable added that when implementing partnership schemes orbital routes also needed to be considered due to the substantial amount of investment.  He referred to the no. 11 service and traffic gyratory system at the junction of Flaxley Road/Iron Lane/Station Road.

Councillor Roger Horton enquired about the roll out of future Advanced Quality Partnership Schemes and in particular Sandwell town centre.  The Head of Network Delivery explained that for the Authority to meet its objectives of partnerships across the West Midlands these had to be introduced at key centres including West Bromwich that would also benefit other centres, and as more of these partnerships were introduced Sandwell would also receive the benefit of the scheme.

With regard to the procedure that was followed to implement an Advanced Quality Partnership Scheme, the local Transport Act 2008 stated that the scheme was to be advertised within the local newspaper but specifically stated that the Authority was not required to undertake a full public consultation on the scheme.

Resolved:

(1)    The approval of the making of the Solihull Town Centre Advanced Quality Bus Partnership Scheme (AQBPS) in August 2017 for implementation in November 2017 be endorsed; and

(2)   As per the terms of reference for the Transport Delivery Committee, it be recommended to the West Midlands Combined Authority Board that the Solihull Town Centre AQBPS was formally agreed and made in August 2017 for implementation in November 2017, subject to approval by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council at its meeting on 10 August 2017.

The committee received a presentation from the Head of Swift on the progress being made in relation to Swift.

The presentation provided information on the success to date of the Swift vending machine pilot at Wolverhampton bus station and the rollout of a further 20 machines to a number of locations, Swift Add-on to nTrain and nNetwork, Swift and the Big Sleuth, Swift and child ticketing, Swift as a wider payment platform and Swift and the Commonwealth Games.

Councillor Chaman Lal enquired about the Swift vending machines and the provision of cash payments.  This payment option was not included as part of the pilot at Wolverhampton bus station but it was considered that it would be useful to ask the customer, through the ‘on-screen’ survey, about their preferred method of payment.  The Head of Swift agreed to feedback to Transport Delivery Committee prior to the further rollout of the Swift vending machines.

In response to a question raised by Councillor Timothy Huxtable with regard to the rollout of Swift to non-constituent areas, the Head of Swift agreed to ensure that the information on the rail map that was included within the presentation corresponded with the list of non-constituent councils that were identified in the report presented to the West Midlands Combined Authority Board on 23 June 2017.

The Head of Swift noted Councillor Roger Horton’s comments in relation to those customers with a visual impairment being able to use the Swift vending machine to make a purchase.

Councillor Philip Davis asked whether there was a threat to Swift investment because of the number of contactless payment options available.  The Head of Swift noted that these two services enhanced each other and statistics had shown that 20% of people did not have a bank card.

The Head of Swift agreed to forward a copy of the rail map included within the presentation to all members of Transport Delivery Committee.

Resolved

(1)   That the presentation be noted.

(i)              Canal & River Trust – Agreement of a Memorandum of Understanding

(ii)             Swift Vending Machine Wider Roll- Out

(iii)            Swift on Rail at Non-Constituent Member Stations

The committee considered three reports that had been approved by the West Midlands Combined Authority Board at its meeting on 23 June 2017.

In respect of the Memorandum of Understanding between the West Midlands Combined Authority and Canal and River Trust, the Head of Programme Development provided an update on some of the examples of joint working and the challenges.  A Memorandum of Understanding between the Canal and River Trust and Network Rail was proposed as both operated alongside each other.

Resolved:

(1)   That the reports be noted.

The committee considered a report of agenda items to be submitted to future meetings.

Resolved:

(1)   That the report be noted.

Monday 4 September 2017, 1.00pm

Monday 4 September 2017 at 1:00pm