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Agenda item

(a)  Opening Comments

(b)  Questions to the Portfolio Lead

(c)  Closing Comments

(d)  To consider any issues or comments to draw to the attention of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee when it meets on the 2 November 2020

Presented By:Chair

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Portfolio Lead for Transport Councillor Ian Ward, members of the sub-committee and representatives from the Young Combined Authority to the question time that was focussing on transport-related matters.

 

Councillor Ian Ward provided an opening statement to members of the sub-committee. He informed them on bus patronage numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic, which were now showing a steady rate of growth with buses currently operating at a 50% capacity. Information was provided on the joint working with bus operators to ensure that a sufficient level of service had been maintained across the region. An update on Metro infrastructure was also provided. In respect of consultation on future Emergency Active Travel funds, Councillor Ian Ward indicated that the Secretary of Statement for Transport had written to transport authorities indicating that the second tranche funding would be prioritised towards those active travel scheme that were able to demonstrate significant community support.

 

Members in attendance, along with Kashmire Hawker from the Young Combined Authority, then questioned the Portfolio Lead for Transport on a range of transport-related topics. Councillor Jackie Taylor enquired as to Councillor Ian Ward’s top three immediate priorities. He informed the sub-committee that bus service recovery and transition through the pandemic was key to help ensure that public transport continued to be a key way of moving residents around the region and continued to be offered as another mode of transport for those who do not have access to a car. He also stressed the importance of continuing to have a strong bus network and the need to encourage residents in the region to walk or cycle over short journeys to promote a clearer, fairer, greener region. Councillor Ian Ward acknowledged the importance of equality impact assessments being undertaken for staff working on the transport network, noting the many safety measures put into place by Transport for West Midlands across the network to ensure the safety of staff. The Chair expressed her concern that some operators appeared not to be providing adequate personal protective equipment to their staff during the pandemic.

 

Councillor Ian Ward shared his view on the bus franchising model potentially being used in the future and that good practice and learning from other countries was required for this to be better understood, whilst acknowledging that this model of operation did have other drawbacks. He continued to believe that buses would remain the main mode of non-car transport for residents across the region.

 

Regarding Councillor Liz Clements question on the cycle hire scheme, Councillor Ian Ward informed the committee that it was hoped that the scheme would be in full operation across the seven constituent authority areas by March 2021. In respect of the eScooters pilot, the Managing Director, Transport for West Midlands, undertook to report back on how many accidents involving their use had been reported.

 

Councillor Ian Ward was questioned on the concessionary fares scheme whether further support could be provided to students (including mature students). He indicated that he was happy to meet with the Young Combined Authority to discuss this matter further, but the financial pressures currently being experienced by the WMCA needed to be recognised. He suggested that this might be an issue the sub-committee could explore further when it undertook pre-decision scrutiny on the WMCA’s 2021/22 budget.

 

The Chair thanked Councillor Ian Ward for his participation in the work of the sub-committee and his oversight of the transport portfolio, along with officers in Transport for West Midlands for their hard work and dedication in supporting the transport network during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also congratulated Anne Shaw, Director of Network Resilience for her recent award of the Leader trophy in the customer/passenger category of the Transport & Logistics Awards 2020.

 

Recommended to Overview & Scrutiny Committee that:

 

(1)           The key priorities identified by the Portfolio Lead for Transport be endorsed, namely:

 

·       To ensure the bus network recovered to service and patronage levels across the region that existed pre-COVID-19.

·       To complete all current Metro capital schemes.

·       To pursue further walking and cycling initiatives to help support and encourage the modal shift seen across the region this year.

 

(2)           Given the current economic situation and the WMCA’s financial challenges, existing concessionary travel policies should be maintained in recognition of the wider societal benefits they underpinned.

 

(3)           The Transport Scrutiny Sub-Committee should undertake a scrutiny review of alternative ticketing policies (including their funding arrangements) in use in comparable cities/regions around the world with a view to making appropriate recommendations for the Portfolio Lead for Transport’s consideration.

 

(4)           The WMCA and Transport for West Midlands should consider undertaking a programme of appropriate lobbying in support of the ‘levelling up’ of funding for public transport services and infrastructure across the UK, to better enable residents to have the ability and capability to play their part in the region’s economic recovery.

 

(5)           Transport for West Midlands should liaise with public transport operators/providers to ensure that all workers on the public transport network were provided with appropriate personal protective equipment.