Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Fazal and Sidhu.

The Chair wished everyone a happy New Year.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2017 were agreed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

(i)              Chair’s Remarks - Member Visit to CCTV Centre – (minute no.66 refers).The Chair reported that a member visit to the CCTV Centre could be arranged for the next meeting on 5 February.

(ii)             Chair’s Remarks- Baby on Board Scheme (minute no.66 refers)

In response to an enquiry from Councillor Huxtable as to whether the scheme could be extended to parents with pushchairs, Laura Shoaf reported that feedback would be provided to TDC members in due course.

(iii)            West Midlands Cycling Charter Progress –  (minute no. 72 refers)

In relation to an enquiry from Councillor Rowley as to whether the role of a Cycling and Walking Commissioner had been progressed, The Managing Director, TfWM, Laura Shoaf, reported that the West Midlands Mayor was considering all possible options regarding the promotion of cycling and walking including Cycling and Walking Champions to encourage wider support and had not yet agreed how to take this forward. The Chair added that he had not yet invited the Mayor to attend a TDC meeting but considered the Mayor could be asked to report back on cycling issues. Councillor Huxtable added that this could also be extended to health issues such as congestion and air quality.

(iv)           WMCA Update- Transport Reports for information (minute no. 75 refers). In relation to the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro report and an enquiry from Councillor Stanley as to whether the line would be able to accommodate heavy rail in the future, Phil Hewitt reported that the line would be able to accommodate heavy rail and any upgrades would be made in accordance with Network Rail standards.

(v)            Question –  Relating to the retention of an original Midland Metro tram (minute no.77 refers).Councillor Davis reported that Birmingham Museum Trust had expressed an interest in having a tram for conservation purposes and thanked Phil Hewitt for taking this forward. Phil Hewitt reported that tram no.11 would hopefully be delivered to the Trust within the next few weeks.

Councillor Huxtable submitted two petitions regarding the number 27 bus service in respect of Kings Heath and Maypole.

The committee considered a report of the Metro Programme Director that informed them on matters relating to the Metro Investment Programme in the West Midlands.

The report provided a brief overview of the main activities of the Metro team across the Metro programme and the actions being taken to manage the principal risk/issues and opportunities that have arisen.

The Metro Programme Director, Phil Hewitt, outlined the key highlights of the report and responded to questions from the committee.

In relation to an enquiry from Councillor Warren regarding the Wolverhampton City Centre Metro Extension and the implications for bus services when the bus station needs to close, to accommodate works for the Metro, Jon Hayes, Head of Network Development, reported that some buses would need to use the ring road although National Express was mapping bus services and TfWM would look to try and manage some services into the bus station during the period of works to minimise disruption.

Councillor Warren asked that all Wolverhampton Councillors be informed of the changes and any disruptions to bus services in Wolverhampton.

Phil Hewitt reported that the City of Wolverhampton are coordinating information with the Wolverhampton Interchange Programme Steering Group.

In relation to an enquiry from Councillor Huxtable regarding the Birmingham Eastside Metro Extension and whether TfWM has taken into account the Commonwealth Games to bring forward the start date for passenger services, Phil Hewitt advised that the Midland Metro Alliance (MMA) is giving consideration to the matter but bringing the date forward was dependent on TfWM being granted the necessary powers from Government as well as the interface with HS2 as to whether this would be possible.

In relation to a request from Councillor Akhtar for further information on the Very Light Rail Centre in Dudley, Phil Hewitt reported that he would arrange for a presentation to be given on the subject at a future committee meeting.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

The committee considered a report of the Director of Finance that set out the financial position as at 30 November 2017 for the financial year 2017/18.

The Head of Finance and Business Planning, Linda Horne, outlined the key highlights in the report.

Resolved:

1.     That the year to date net revenue expenditure for 2017/ 18 shows a favourable variance of £3.8m compared to budget and a full year forecast variance of £5.7m following the second re-forecast of the year  be noted;

2.     That the total capital expenditure to the end of November 2017 within the overall transport programme was broadly in line with budget, showing a 4 % variance (£1.4m) be noted and

3.     That the treasury indicators are within the expected range and there are no issues to highlight be noted.

The Head of Finance and Business Planning, Linda Horne, presented an overview of the draft 2018-19 budget, this included the transport revenue budget (levy), TfWM Capital Programme and the overall budget timetable.

In relation to the recent introduction of a pre-9.30am £1 bus fare for concessionary pass holders and an enquiry from Councillor Rowley as to whether this would increase patronage or impact on the budget, Linda Horne advised that it was difficult to gauge the impact on patronage but the new fare would not have a significant impact on the financial position for concessionary fare reimbursement.

Councillor Rowley further enquired whether there were any plans to extend the arrangements to tram.

The Director of Transport Services, Steve McAleavy, reported that the tram was not part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. Phil Hewitt reported that this was a matter for the tram operator to consider and would be a matter for TfWM in the future.

In relation to an enquiry from Councillor Stanley as to whether the draft budget included financial information on TfWM taking Metro operations in-house later this year, Linda Horne advised that the information would be in included in a future report.

In relation to the process for this committee to submit comments on the draft Transport Budget to the WMCA’s Overview View and Scrutiny Committee on 30 January 2018, the Chair reported that the Finance and Performance Lead Member Group would consider a response at a meeting next week, before finalising a response on behalf of TDC with the Vice- Chair’s, Councillors Davis and Huxtable.

The committee endorsed this approach.

Resolved:

(1)  That the draft 2018/19 Transport Budget be noted and

(2)  That the process for this committee submitting a response to the WMCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 30 January 2018 be agreed.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Programme Delivery that provided an update in monitoring progress on the approved TfWM led 2017/18 programme and projects.

The Rail Development Manager, Richard Booth, presented in the report.

In relation to an enquiry from Councillor Huxtable, regarding the network wide park and ride enhancements that would be made to the five remaining sites and which sites the enhancements related to, Richard Booth undertook to find out and to respond to Councillor Huxtable.

Resolved:

(1)  That the achievements since the November 2017 meeting of the   Transport Delivery Committee be noted;

(2)   That the progress of deliverables under the 2017/18 Capital Programme be noted and

(3)  That there are no variations from the baseline programme in this reporting period be noted.

The committee considered a report of the Operations Manager (Customer Facilities) that advised the committee of the increase to bus station departure charge rates that would be applied in 2018/19, effective from 1 May 2018.

The Operations Manager (Customer Facilities), Andy Thrupp outlined the report and advised that Transport for the West Board (TfWM) had considered the  options for bus station departure charge at its meeting on 11 December 2017 and had agreed an average of 2% increase. The increase would result in a projected overall cost recovery rate of 59.25 %.

Councillor Welsh commented that he was concerned that the increase in bus station departure charges would discourage bus operators from using the bus station and enquired whether there was a better way of funding bus stations.

Councillor Lal enquired what action TfWM was taking to increase the recovery rate of bus station departure charges and how the organisation sought to persuade operators to use the bus stations.

Andy Thrupp explained that bus station departure charges take into account the operational costs of each interchange and that TfWM tries to be reasonable in setting the charges for operators. He advised that TfWM seeks to reduce the operational costs by obtaining commercial income from bus stations tenants and vending machines for example. He added that bus stations serve as a    customer and community based for facility and were not run as profit making entity.

In relation to the strategy for recovering bus station departure charges, Andy Thrupp advised that this was agreed six years ago and the TfWM would be undertaking a review of the policy.

Councillor Welsh asked if committee members could be provided with information as to what is happening in respect of their local bus station as he felt the bus station at Coventry was not being fully utilised by bus operators.

Andy Thrupp undertook to provide the information requested by Councillor Welsh.

Resolved: That the level of bus station departure charge rates for 2018/19 as approved by Transport for the West Midlands Board on 11 December 2017 be noted.

The committee considered a report of the Sustainable Travel Manager that provided an update on the work of the Safe and Sustainable Travel Lead Member Group for the municipal year 2017-18.

The Lead Member for Safe and Sustainable Travel, Councillor Holl-Allen outlined the key highlights of the report.

In relation to an enquiry from Councillor Horton as to whether the reduction in police numbers had impacted on the work of the Safer Travel Partnership to respond across the West Midlands, Steve McAleavy advised that the Safer Travel Police Team was different and as a team they were currently extending their working hours.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

The Committee considered a report of the Network Development Manager that provided an update on matters relating to the governance, operation, delivery and performance of the West Midlands Bus Alliance.

The Network Development Manager, Edmund Salt, outlined the key highlights of the report.

In relation to an enquiry from Councillor Huxtable for further information relating to the South Birmingham highway mitigation and NPIF2, Edmund Salt undertook provide the information following the meeting.

Resolved: That the content of the report and the current status of the West Midlands Bus Alliance be noted.

The committee considered a report of the Network Development Manager that sought approval of the start of the formal consultation on the Wolverhampton City Centre Advanced Quality Bus Partnership and outlined the process involved.

The Network Development Manager, Edmund Salt, presented the report and responded to questions from the committee.

Councillor Rowley reported that she noted the success of the two previous partnership schemes in Birmingham and Solihull and enquired whether the powers pertaining to the proposed scheme would result in better standards for Wolverhampton.

The Head of Network Development, Jon Hayes, reported that whilst the enforcement of powers would still rest with the Traffic Commissioner, the advanced quality partnership has a more formal process of enforcement that should result in better standards of enforcement.

In relation to the proposed passenger assistance standards (for drivers) outlined in the scheme, Councillor Rowley considered this should be extended to passengers with sensory disabilities and those with hidden disabilities. She added that in relation to customer care, drivers have a duty of care to take passengers as close as possible to their end destination especially in the event of any road closures or diversions as passengers need to need know where they are.

Jon Hayes thanked Councillor Rowley for her comments and reported that the section on passenger assistance would be reviewed for those with sensory disabilities and hidden disabilities. In relation to customer care and drivers ensuring passengers reach their end destination, in the event of a bus route diversion, Jon Hayes reported that  he would look to refer to the matter to the Bus Alliance in seeking guidance on delivering customer care standards.

In relation to an enquiry from Councillor Welsh as to when Coventry could expect to be part of an Advanced Quality Bus Partnership, Jon Hayes reported that consideration was being given to Coventry and prioritisation for taking forward a partnership was in accordance with the investment in infrastructure as there would need to be advantages for bus operators.

Resolved: That approval be given to start the formal consultation on the Wolverhampton City Centre Advanced Quality Bus Partnership.

The committee considered a report of the Director of Transport Services that informed them of the impact on public transport as a consequence of the severe weather in December 2017 and the efforts taken to deal with the issues including data from TfWM’s media channels.

The Director of Transport Services, Steve McAleavy, outlined the report and highlighted the action taken by TfWM from 7th to 12^th December 2017 and how it engaged with customers via various communication channels during the period of severe winter weather.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Customer Services that reported on progress for the Putting Passengers First Lead Member Group since the start of the 2017-18 municipal year.

The Lead Member for Putting Passenger First, Councillor Hartley, outlined the report and advised the committee that a list would be compiled of all transport events and activities and invitations would be sent to all TDC members if there was the opportunity for members to attend or take part.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

To consider any notices of motion by the deadline of 12 noon on 4 January 2018.

None submitted.

To consider any questions submitted by the deadline of 12 noon on 4 January 2018 for written questions and 12 noon on 5 January 2018 for oral questions.

None submitted.

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

Resolved : That the report be noted.