Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Pervez Akhtar, Adrian Andrew, Mohammed  Fazal, Celia Hibbert,  Les Jones, Alan Taylor and David Welsh.

(i)             Councillor Keith Linnecor.

The committee observed one minute’s silence in memory of the late Councillor Keith Linnecor, a serving member of the Transport Delivery Committee who died on 14 February following a short illness. The Chair expressed her deep sadness at the death of a dear friend and colleague who had served on the committee in its many guises from 2002 and continuously from 2004. The Chair  paid tribute to the work undertaken by the former councillor with regards to his passion for championing the needs of passengers and the environment and above all,  his support for the people of Oscott Ward. Councillor Alden and Pete Bond (on behalf of Transport for the West Midlands) also expressed their appreciation to Councillor Linnecor and conveyed their condolences ; these sentiments were echoed by the committee.

(ii)            Councillor Peter Bilson

Councillor Roger Lawrence led the tributes to the serving Deputy Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, Councillor Peter Bilson who died recently following illness. Councillor Lawrence expressed his sadness at losing a good friend and colleague who had served as a councillor for 38 years and as his Deputy (whilst Leader) for 18 years.

(iii)          Covid-19 (Coronavirus) TfWM Response

Mark Babington, Head of Safety, Security and Emergency Planning was in attendance to outline the WMCA/TfWM’s response to dealing with the Coronavirus. This included operational resilience, network resilience and communications. The Head of Safety, Security and Emergency Planning reported on the establishment of a Tactical Coordination Group (TCG) a multi-modal and multi-organisational group, including transport operators, to focus on the tactical and operational plans based on daily advice from Public Health England. A briefing note setting out the approach had been circulated to the committee in advance of the meeting.

(iv)          Future Events/Updates

The Chair provided an update on various transport matters and reported on the following upcoming events.

-       Take up of the WASPI concessionary pass and usage

-       Air Quality, Congestion and Sustainability Lead Member Reference Group Visit to Leicester on 25 March.

-       Passenger Focus Survey Results on 26 March

-       Route 40 Partnership launch on 15 March

-       National Express Master Driver Awards on 16 April

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2020 were agreed as a true record.

The Committee considered the Action Tracker relating to outstanding actions from the last meeting and previous meetings.

Resolved : The report was noted.

There were no matters arising from the last meeting.

None received.

The committee considered a report of the Network Development Manager that provided an update on the development of the Enhanced Partnership Plan being developed for the West Midlands and the associated scheme covering the A34 (north) and A45/ Lode Lane corridors.

The Network Development Manager, Edmund Salt reported that the Plan has the full support of operators, and the Scheme has passed once with full support and is currently subject to a second period following a minor addition to an appendix.  He outlined the timescales for the consultation that would begin on 11 May for a 6-week period, ending on 21 June 2020.

In relation to an enquiry as to whether the consultation period would change or be extended given the current Coronavirus crisis, the Network Development Manager explained that the current strategy was based upon sign posting consultees to the Plan and Scheme but would review this if it was appropriate to do so, following any Government changes regarding Coronavirus.

Resolved:

1.    That the Enhanced Partnership Plan and associated Enhanced Partnership Scheme (subject to the outcome of the Operator Objection Period) be approved ;

2.    That the outcome of the operator objection mechanism for the Enhanced Partnership be noted and

3.    That the consultation strategy for the Enhanced Partnership was approved by Transport Delivery Committee on 4 November 2019 be noted.

The committee received a presentation from Jo Shore and Nick Wilcox, Coventry City Council that provided an update on Coventry City of Culture 2021 with regards to transport.

The presentation provided an overview of travel planning, travel demand management, including event planning travel assistant ‘Legible Coventry’ -wayfinding and concept designs, cycling and improvements for Pool Meadow Bus Station.

The Chair reported that she looked forward to the committee receiving an artist’s impression of the agreed design for the improved Pool Meadow Bus Station along with a report in the near future.

The Chair thanked Jo Shore and Nick Wilcox for their informative presentation.

Resolved: That the presentation be noted.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda due to the inability of Birmingham City Council to field an officer owing to staffing issues related to the Coronavirus.

It was agreed therefore, that members of the committee could submit their individual responses directly to Birmingham City Council as per the consultation document.

Resolved : That members submit their own individua responses on the Birmingham Transport Plan consultation directly to Birmingham City Council.

The committee considered a report of the Finance Director that set out the financial position as at 31 January 2020.

Councillor Lawrence introduced the report in the absence of the Lead Member for Finance and Performance, Councillor Pervez Akhtar who was unable to attend the meeting .

The Finance Director, Linda Horne, outlined the report and advised the committee that the final position for the financial year ending 31 March 2020 would be reported to the next meeting of the committee on 8 June 2020.

In relation to concerns expressed by Councillor Huxtable regarding the slippage on some schemes and the impact on costs and delivery, notably with regards to rail enhancements on the Camp Hill Line, the Finance Director explained that she had not been informed of any delays and the re-phasing of spending should not impact on delivery. She added that the report’s focus was for one year only and the report therefore did not provide a complete picture of a scheme that was profiled over a number of years. The Finance Director reported that contingency planning was undertaken and would provide further information for committee members.

Councillor Alden asked that the briefing note identify those schemes that are fixed price and those schemes that have a variable cost.

In relation to concerns expressed by Councillor Worrall on the continuing decline in the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme patronage volumes and the need for a marketing campaign to promote the scheme, the Director of Integrated Network Services, Pete Bond reported that the matter has been discussed with bus operators through the Bus Alliance and consideration was being given to launching a big campaign at the appropriate time.  

Resolved:

1.    That the year to date net revenue expenditure to the end of January 2020 shows a favourable variance of £2.407m compared to budget and the forecast position shows a favourable movement of £2.565m from budget be noted and

2.    That the total capital expenditure to the end of January 2020 for the overall transport programme was £104.5m which was £42.4m below the year to date budget of £146.9m and the annual forecast position shows a favourable movement of £66.8m from budget be noted.

The committee considered a report of the Director of Development and Delivery that provided the committee with a progress monitoring update on the approved TfWM led 2019/20 Capital Programme and projects.

In relation to concerns expressed by Councillor Huxtable regarding the completion date for University and Perry Barr rail stations and whether the schemes would be ready in time for the Commonwealth Games given that Perry Barr was rated amber on the dashboard, the Director of Development and Delivery, Sandeep Shingadia, reported that the reason for the amber rating was that the scheme had a complex interface with a number of other schemes and undertook for a more detailed note to be circulated to members.

Councillor Alden enquired whether the start dates for partial or re-opening of  the stations could be included on the dashboard for future reports or be stated in the briefing note referred to above.

Resolved :

1.    That the achievements since the 6 January meeting of the Transport Delivery Committee as outlined in the report be noted;

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

3.    That the variations to the baseline programme as outlined in the report be noted.

The committee considered a report of the Area Manager for the Black Country and for Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry that reported on matters relating to the performance, operation and delivery of bus services in the West Midlands.

The Chair and Lead Member for  Putting Passengers First, Councillor Hartley introduced the report.

Richard Hardman, Area Manager for the Black Country and Richard Mayes, Area Manager for Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry, were in attendance to present the report and outline key highlights. This included bus performance, operational matters, new funding, the partnership route on service 40 and an update on the bus network.

In relation to a request for information to be provided on the Cross City bus route, the Head of Network Development, Jon Hayes reported that discussions on the route were still on-going but information with regards what is planned could be provided at a future meeting.

Resolved : That the report be noted.

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

None submitted.

To consider any questions submitted by the deadline of 12 noon on 12 March 2020 for written questions and 12 noon on 13 March 2020 for oral questions.

None submitted.

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

In relation to the park and ride update report scheduled for the meeting on 8 June 2020, Councillor Huxtable asked if the report could include information with regards to park and ride for HS2 and Birmingham International.

Resolved : That the report be noted.

[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 of the following items of business as 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)]

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).

The committee considered a report entitled ‘University Station Full Business Case Submission’ that would be considered by the WMCA Board on 20 March for approval.

The report was submitted for information only.

Resolved: That the report be noted.