Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Phil Garnett (0113) 395 1632 Email: philip.garnett@leeds.gov.uk
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Appeals Against Refusal of Inspection of Documents To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25* of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).
(* In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, notice of an appeal must be received in writing by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting).
Minutes: There were no appeals against the refusal of inspections of documents. |
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Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public 1 To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.
2 To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.
3 If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-
RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:- No exempt items on this agenda. Minutes: There were no resolutions to exclude the public. |
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Late Items To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.
(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)
Minutes: There were no late items added to the agenda. However supplementary information in relation to Agenda Item 6 – Scrutiny Inquiry – Bus Services In Leeds – Further Information was admitted by the Chair.
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Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Interests To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. Minutes: Councillor Urry declared an interest in Agenda Item 6 – Scrutiny Inquiry – Bus Services in Leeds –as a Member of the Leeds Passenger Consultative Committee.
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Apologies for Absence and Notification of Substitutes To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Marjoram, Councillor Lyons, Councillor J McKenna, Councillor Ingham and Councillor Chapman.
Councillor Illingworth was in attendance as substitute for Councillor Ingham.
Councillor Collins was in attendance as substitute for Councillor Marjoram.
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Scrutiny Inquiry - Bus Services in Leeds To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development introducing the third session of the Scrutiny Inquiry into Bus Services in Leeds.
Additional documents:
Minutes: The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which introduced the third session of the Scrutiny Inquiry into Bus Services in Leeds. This session involved dialogue with representatives form bus operators and passenger representatives.
In attendance to answer Member questions and provide information to the inquiry were:
David Brady, Vice Chair, Leeds Passenger Consultative Committee; Georgiana Weatherill, Environmental and Sustainability Manager, Leeds City College; Councillor James Lewis, Chair of West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority; Keith McNally, Chair of Association of Bus Operators in West Yorkshire (ABOWY); Dave Alexander, First Bus and ABOWY; Andrew Stirling, Ross Travel and ABOWY (representing smaller providers); Colin Newbury, Arriva and ABOWY; Andrew Hall, Acting Head of Transport Policy; and Dave Pearson, Assistant Director of Transport Services, Metro.
David Brady proceeded to inform Members of the issues faced by passengers using buses in Leeds. The high cost of bus tickets was discussed and comparisons drawn with rail fares which are generally cheaper for local journeys. The issue of ticketing was also raised as a problem with tickets often not being transferrable between the differing operators, smart cards were identified as a way of resolving this problem. The reliability of services was raised as a key issue alongside the need for more early morning and late evening services. It was also suggested that bus companies might give some consideration to a passenger charter.
Georgiana Wetherill addressed the Board with the issues encountered by staff and students. It was highlighted that ticketing was expensive confusing and lacked options in terms of people who do not work every day. She raised the lack of opportunity to use buses for people who commute to Leeds from outside the Leeds District. Comments were made that more investment needed to be made in introducing more real time displays.
At this point Councillor James Lewis addressed the Board. The Board were informed about the consideration being given to Quality Bus Contracts which had resulted in Bus operators wishing to explore further a Bus Partnership offer, and updated on the latest position of the Integrated Transport Authority (ITA). The implications of changes in the Bus Service Operators’ Grant (BSOG) and the proposed Better Bus Areas grant funding were outlined. Members were also informed that as part of the City Deal there will be a regional transport investment fund. Public transport areas for focus could include: ticketing reform; service delivery; and value for money. Comparisons were also drawn with London which receives a much greater subsidy to run buses than West Yorkshire.
Keith McNally addressed the Board. He informed the Committee of the need to grow bus patronage in Leeds and how this could be achieved in a de-regulated environment. The difficulties encountered in operating a bus company were highlighted, specifically, the reduction in the Bus Service Operators Grant which provides some rebate on fuel duty.
Members then asked questions of witnesses present. Members compared the high costs of bus tickets in Leeds to cheaper prices in other northern cities and asked ... view the full minutes text for item 101. |
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Date and time of next meeting Thursday, 10am 21st February 2013 (A pre meeting for Members will take place at 09:45am) Minutes: 10am, Thursday 21st February 2013. |