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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Room 116, 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham B19 3SD

Contact: Wendy Slater, Senior Governance Services Officer 

Items
No. Item

54.

Apologies for absence

Presented By: Chair

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Shaheen Akhtar, Samiya Akhter, Adrian Andrew, Mohammed Fazal and Keith Linnecor.

55.

Action Tracker pdf icon PDF 44 KB

Presented By: Chair

Minutes:

The action tracker was noted.

56.

Chair's Remarks

·         UK Bus Summit – 6 February 2020

Presented By: Chair

Minutes:

(i)            UK Bus Summit- 6 February 2020

The Chair reported that she and Councillor Taylor as members of Putting Passengers First Lead Member Reference Group would be attending the forthcoming UK Bus Summit along with Councillor Hibbert.

 

(ii)          Increase in Bus Patronage

The Chair reported that she was pleased to report that the latest  DfT bus patronage figures for the West Midlands indicated an increase in passenger journeys by 8 million in the year ending March 2019 which the Bus Alliance would be examining in more detail.

 

(iii)         Metro Extension opening to Centenary Square

The Chair informed members that the Metro Extension from Birmingham City Centre to Centenary Square had opened one week early on 11 December 2019 and the new stop had been named  ‘Library’.

 

57.

Minutes of the last meeting pdf icon PDF 186 KB

Presented By: Chair

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

58.

Matters Arising

Presented By: Chair

Minutes:

Minute No.45 Safer Travel Update

Councillor Lal asked if he could be provided with a breakdown of the public transport crime figures that were referred to in the Safer Travel Update report.

 

The Director of Integrated Network Services, Pete Bond undertook to follow-up the request with Safer Travel Team.

59.

Correspondence/ Petitions pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Presented By: Chair

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A petition report was submitted by the Senior Development Manager that required consideration by the committee in accordance with the new WMCA petitions protocol.

 

The petition, received on behalf of Birmingham Friends of the Earth objected to the A435 Alcester Road/ Moseley Road and Highgate Middleway Bus Revitalisation Project, had received over 250 signatures and had been considered by the Officer Petition Panel and the Putting Passengers First Lead Member Reference Group.

 

It was noted that the petition had been submitted to Birmingham  City Council’s Chair of the Sustainability and Transport Overview Scrutiny Committee but had been forwarded to TfWM for action as the project owner with overall responsibility for the scheme. However, the final decision on the scheme would be taken by Birmingham City Council as the Local Highway Authority.

 

[Councillor Huxtable reported that he was a member of Birmingham City Council’s Sustainability and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee and declared an interest in this matter in that the decision taken could be the subject of a future ‘call-in’].

 

The  Lead Petitioner, Martin Stride, Birmingham Friends of The Earth outlined the reasons for the petition which related to the above scheme (following public consultation) on plans by Birmingham City Council to widen stretches of the Moseley Road through Balsall Heath requiring the destruction of trees and the narrowing of footways . He/ petitioners believed the scheme would lead to a worse environment for pedestrian and cyclists. The petition asked that Birmingham City Council halt plans to widen parts of the Moseley Road in Balsall Heath.

 

The Senior Development Manager, Danny Gouveia responded to the issues raised by the petition, outlined the emerging scheme changes (mitigation measures) following consultation and the wider supporting evidence base for the project and the conclusions of the Officers Petition Panel.

 

The Senior Development Manager advised the committee that a meeting had been arranged next week with Birmingham Friends to discuss the issues raised in the petition.

 

The Chair added that all matters identified by the Officers Petition Panel would be investigated.

 

Further to enquiries regarding the proposed station on the Camp Hill Line at Balsall Heath, it was noted that a briefing note on the station would be provided to the committee.

 

 

Resolved :

 

1.    That the petition submitted by Birmingham Friends of the Earth raising objections to the A435 Alcester Road/Moseley Road and Highgate Middleway Bus Revitalisation project be noted;

 

2.    That no further action be taken on the petition based upon the mitigations proposed and the findings of the Officer Petition Panel be agreed;

 

3.    That the full implications of the proposals, including consultation responses and the issues raised within the petition be considered with a full business case by the TfWM Network Programme Board and Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment be noted;

 

4.    That a final decision to proceed with the project be retained by Birmingham City Council as Local Highway Authority via the Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment be noted and

 

5.    That the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

60.

Presentation : Ring and Ride pdf icon PDF 4 MB

Presented By: National Express

Minutes:

The committee received a presentation from Vinay Parmar, Managing Director of National Express Accessible Transport that provided an update on the accessible transport service provided by the company that is commonly known as ‘Ring and Ride’.

 

The presentation outlined the vision for Ring and Ride, observations and conclusions since taking over the service in  August 2019 and the four key areas of the transformation plan which were to improve the customer journey to appeal to wider audience, raise operational standards, drive safety and embed excellence, make the organisation a great place to work and to continue to invest in staff training, vehicles and facilities.

 

Vinay Parmar reported that he envisaged the changes being implemented would have a real impact for customers within the next three to six months.

 

In relation to an enquiry from the Chair regarding the involvement of TDC Members with the Ring and Ride User Groups, Vinay reported that he was in the process of setting up User Groups and undertook to report back on the role he envisaged for TDC Members.

 

The Chair thanked Vinay Parmar for his informative presentation and reported that the committee would welcome further updates to future meetings.

 

Resolved : That the presentation be noted.

61.

Financial Monitoring Report pdf icon PDF 220 KB

Presented By: Linda Horne

Minutes:

The committee considered a report of the Finance Director that set out the financial position as at 30 November 2019 with regards to the Combined Authority’s Transport Delivery Revenue and Capital Budgets.

 

Councillor Akhtar, Lead Member for Finance and Performance, introduced the report and highlighted the report’s recommendations.

 

Resolved:

 

1.    That the year to date net revenue expenditure to the end of November 2019 shows a favourable variance of £1.403m compared to budget and the forecast position shows a favourable movement of £1.972m from budget be noted and

 

2.    That the total capital expenditure to the end of November 2019 for the overall transport programme was £85.1m, which was £21.8m below the year to date budget of £106.9m and the annual forecast position shows a favourable movement of £54.5m from budget be noted.

62.

Capital Programme Delivery Monitoring Report pdf icon PDF 223 KB

Presented By: Sandeep Shingadia

Minutes:

The committee considered a report of the Director of Development and Delivery that provided an update on the approved TfWM led 2019/20 programmes and projects.

 

Councillor Akhtar, Lead Member for Finance and Performance introduced the report and highlighted achievements with regards to completed elements of the 2019/20 Capital Programme during November and December 2019 and the report’s recommendations.

 

Resolved:

 

1.    That the achievements since the 4 November meeting of the Transport Delivery committee set out in section 3 of the report be noted;

 

2.    That progress of deliverables and outturn of the 2019/20 Capital Programme be noted and

 

3.    That the variation to the baseline programme as referred to in section 4 of the report be noted.

63.

Rail Business Report pdf icon PDF 3 MB

Presented By: Tom Painter

Minutes:

The committee considered a report of the Director of Rail, Transport for the West Midlands that provided an update relating to the performance, operation and delivery of rail services in the West Midlands including rail operator partnership agreements and West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) activity.

 

Councillor Lawrence, Lead Member for Rail and Metro introduced the report and highlighted key areas within the report.

 

Tom Painter, Head of Rail Franchising and Partnerships, West Midlands Rail Executive, updated the committee on various rail matters since the report had been published.

 

In relation to an enquiry from the Minority Vice-Chair, Councillor Huxtable regarding the deferment of planning approval for Moseley and Hazewell Stations due to Network Rail requesting more information and whether the committee could be provided with further details, the Head of Rail Franchising and Partnerships undertook to find out more and circulate a briefing note to members.

 

In relation to further enquiry from Councillor Huxtable as to whether TfWM could speak to Birmingham City Council regarding their Urban Centres Framework as this did not appear to adequately account for the Camp Hill rail line, the Head of Rail Franchising undertook to contact Birmingham City Council on the matter.

 

In relation to an enquiry from the Chair regarding the funding position for Darlaston and Willenhall Stations, the Head of Rail Franchising and Partnerships reported that he would provide an update to the committee  following the meeting.

 

Resolved : That the contents of the report be noted.

 

 

64.

Rail and Metro Lead Member Reference Group Annual Report pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Presented By: Councillor Lawrence

Minutes:

The committee considered the Annual Report of the Rail and Metro Lead Member Reference Group that provided an update on progress to date with the work of the group.

 

Councillor Lawrence, Lead Member for Rail and Metro introduced the report.

 

Resolved: That progress to date with the work of the Lead Member and Lead Member Reference Group for Rail and Metro be noted.

 

65.

Cycling Charter Progress Report pdf icon PDF 387 KB

Presented By: Hannah Dayan

Minutes:

The committee considered a report of the Cycling and Walking Manager that  reported on matters relating to the performance, operation and delivery of TfWM led initiatives within the West Midlands Cycling Charter Action Plan.

 

Councillor Holl-Allen, Lead Member for Safe and Sustainable Travel, introduced the report and highlighted issues of interest to the committee.

 

The Cycling and Walking Development Officer, Hannah Dayan, outlined progress undertaken on key activities since the last report was considered in June 2019. This included but was not limited to, the work undertaken by the Cycling and Walking Ambassador to promote cycling and walking in the region, the establishment of the Better Streets Community Fund and the Network Cycle Parking Programme.

 

In relation to an enquiry from the Chair regarding her request to be provided with a list of all applicants to the Better Streets Community Fund, the Director of Integrated Network Services, Pete Bond, reported that  a comprehensive list was being compiled and this would be shared with TDC members as soon as possible.

 

Councillor Huxtable reported that he had been contacted by Councillor Phil Davis who had expressed concern regarding the cycle lockers being replaced with bike stands at Yardley Wood Station which meant people were unable to secure their bikes in particular electric bikes  and queried why the cycle lockers had been removed.

 

The Cycling and Walking Development Officer reported that the cycle facilities had changed at Yardley Wood  Station due to issues pertaining to the safety and security of the lockers but would investigate how e-bikes and batteries could be secured at the station.

 

Resolved: That progress to date of the TfWM led initiatives of the West Midlands Cycling Charter Action Plan be noted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

66.

Safe and Sustainable Lead Member Reference Group Annual Report pdf icon PDF 131 KB

Presented By: Councillor Holl-Allen

Minutes:

The committee considered the Annual Report of the Safe and Sustainable Travel Lead Member Reference Group that set out the work undertaken by the group during the year.

 

Councillor Holl-Allen, Lead Member for Safe and Sustainable Travel introduced the report and outlined the key areas of focus including member visits undertaken in 2019 and planned for 2020.

 

Resolved : That the report be noted.

67.

Putting Passengers First Lead Member Reference Group Annual Report pdf icon PDF 91 KB

Presented By: Chair

Minutes:

The committee considered the Annual Report of the Putting Passengers First Lead Member Reference Group.

 

The Chair and Lead Member for Putting Passengers First outlined the report and conveyed her thanks to Councillors Fazal, Locke and Taylor for attending  the many meetings held during the year to consider petitions and shelter appeals amongst other matters. The Chair also conveyed her appreciation to officers for supporting the group.

 

Resolved : That the contents of the report be noted.

 

 

68.

West Midlands Combined Authority Petitions Summary pdf icon PDF 129 KB

Presented By: Pete Bond

Minutes:

The committee considered a report of the Customer Relations Manager that provided a summary of the petitions received by the WMCA from the period October 2019 to December 2019.

 

It was noted that three petitions had been received during the period and all petitions were below 250 signatures details of which were outlined in the report.

 

Resolved: That the contents of the report be noted.

69.

Notices of Motion

To consider any notices of motion by the deadline of 12 noon on 2 January 2020.

Presented By: Chair

Minutes:

None received.

70.

Questions

To consider any questions submitted by the deadline of 12 noon on 2 January 2020 for written questions and 12 noon on 3 January 2020 for oral questions.

Minutes:

None received.

71.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 81 KB

Presented By: Chair

Minutes:

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

 

Resolved : That the report be noted.

72.

Exclusion of the Public and Press

[To pass the following resolution:

That in accordance with Section 100A4 of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)]

Presented By: Chair

Minutes:

Resolved : That in accordance with Section 100A4 of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

73.

Snow Hill Third Access Project

Presented By: Sandeep Shingadia

Minutes:

The committee considered a report of the Director of Rail that set out the case for pausing the Snow Hill Third Access Project.

 

Resolved: That the Snow Hill Third Access Project be paused after the completion of detailed design (GRIP 5) stage for the reasons stated in the report.