Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Samiya Akhter and Councillor Fazal.

The Chair reported that she had attended a meeting of the recently established  Strategic Transport Board and had found this to be extremely useful in linking with 7 Transport Cabinet Members and the WMCA Transport Portfolio Holder.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 2020 were agreed as a true record.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Transport Network and Covid-19, minute no.10

The Director of Integrated Network Services, Pete Bond, outlined a briefing note entitled, ‘Guidance for full opening of schools and developing programme of supporting actions’ that provided guidance on dedicated transport for schools and the wider transport provision (including active travel measures) to support children returning to school in September.

Safer Travel Update, minute no.12

In relation to the breakdown of crime statistics on public transport that are to be shared with the Lead Member for Safe and Sustainable Travel and TDC members in due course, the Chair asked that any updates also be shared with the Bus Champions.

Rail Business Report, minute no.13

Further to discussion at the last meeting, Councillors Alden and Huxtable asked for the committee to receive further information on ‘Restore Your Railway’ and in particular with regards to the Tamworth and Sutton Park Line.

None submitted.

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

Councillor Pervez Akhtar, Lead Member for Finance and Performance outlined key areas within the report.

In relation to concern expressed by Councillor Richards on the underspend on the Capital Programme and the impact by Covid-19, the Financial Services Manager, Louise Cowen, advised that the re-forecasting of budgets would be undertaken in September to take account of Covid-19 impacts and an update would be provided to the next meeting.

Resolved:

1.     That the year to date net revenue expenditure to the end of May 2020 shows an adverse variance of £0.132m compared to budget be noted and

2.     That the total capital expenditure to the end of May 2020 for the overall transport programme was £18.4m which was £12.6m below which was below the budget of £31.0m and there is no change to the annual budget of £268.6m be noted.

The committee considered a report of the Director of Development and Delivery that provided a progress monitoring update on the approved 2020/21 programme and projects.

Councillor Pervez Akhtar, Lead Member for Finance and Performance outlined the key highlights of the report including progress made, achievements and variations to the baseline programme.

In relation to enquiries from the committee regarding the request for updates on various rail projects and schemes notably University Station, Perry Barr, the re-instatement of Platform 4 at Snow Hill, and progress on the Hazewell/ Kings Heath line, the Director of Development and Delivery, Sandeep Shingadia, undertook to ask the Rail Team to provide a briefing note for members.

Resolved:

1.     That the achievements since the June meeting of the Transport Delivery Committee be noted;

2.     That the progress of the deliverables and the outturn of the 2020/21 Capital Programme be noted and

3.     That the variations to the baseline programme as referred to in paragraph 4.0 of the report be noted.

The committee considered a briefing note of the Head of Business Transformation (West Midlands Metro) on the impact of Covid-19 on West Midlands Metro that detailed the response and recovery.

The Head of Business Transformation (West Midlands Metro), Sophie Allison, outlined the impact of Covid-19 on West Midlands Metro, the initial response, and the recovery measures that have been put in place.

It was noted that following the recent change in Government advice to support the use of public transport, TfWM and West Midlands Metro would be pro-actively encouraging people to return to public transport.

The Chair reported that this committee could help encourage people to return to public transport (in accordance with Government guidelines) if members were happy to support this.

Resolved : That the briefing note be noted.

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 reported that it was good news that cycling had increased in the region following the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

The Cycling and Walking Development Officer, Hannah Dayan, highlighted key areas within the report. This included work undertaken with Sustrans on a West Midlands Bike Life Report, an update on cycle counters, the network wide cycling parking programme and the Big Bike Revival.

In relation to a comment from the Majority Vice-Chair, Councillor Worrall regarding introducing cycle routes that could run parallel with the tram on the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro Extension route where there was plenty capacity to do so, Hannah Dayan undertook to refer the comments to the relevant officers.

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

The committee considered a report of the Director of Development and Delivery that reported on progress on key deliverables for the first two bus rapid transit (‘Sprint’) routes; the A456 Hagley Road, future pipeline schemes and update on vehicles to be used on the route.

The Lead Member for Sprint, Councillor Huxtable introduced the report.

The Senior Management- Sprint Development, Tom Skidmore, highlighted key areas of the report.

Resolved:

1.     That progress of the Sprint Programme be noted;

2.     That the relationship between Sprint delivery and the other schemes be noted and

3.     That the service be operated by zero emission vehicles and the operator(s) would purchase the vehicles be noted.

To consider any notices of motion by the deadline of 12 noon on 16 July 2020

None submitted.

To consider any questions submitted by the deadline of 12 noon on 16 July 2020 for written questions and 12 noon on 17 July for oral questions.

The committee considered a question submitted by the Vice-Chair, Councillor Worrall on 8 July 2020.

In relation to the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund, is TfWM able to advise the Transport Delivery Committee of:

1. The full details, listed by Metropolitan District Council, of the recently approved Tranche 1 schemes?

2. The DfT’s timetable and criteria for Tranche 2 scheme bids (to be given to the TDC meeting if known by 20 July, or otherwise sent to all TDC members as soon as received), together with an indication of the process to be adopted in the West Midlands for preparing, finalising and approving a bid, to include information on whether, how and to whom interested members of the public, and community, cycling, walking, environmental, disability and health groups and organisations, may suggest projects for consideration and possible inclusion in the bid?’   

The Director of Development and Delivery submitted a briefing note in response that was circulated with the papers for this meeting

Resolved that the question and response submitted be noted.

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

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 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 consideration of the following items of business as they involve the likely disclose of exempt information relating to the business affairs of any particular person including (including the authority holding that information).

The transport reports that would be considered by the WMCA Board at its meeting on 24 July were submitted for information.

Resolved: That the reports be noted.