Agenda item

To receive the report of the Director of City Development and West Yorkshire Combined Authority to support the next session of the scrutiny inquiry.

The Head of Governance Services and Scrutiny Support, The Director of City Development and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority submitted reports to support the next session of the Scrutiny Inquiry, Transport for Leeds – Supertram, NGT and Beyond.

The following information was appended to the reports:

·  Appendix 1 – Peter Bonsall, response to requested information from the Scrutiny Board Meeting 23 November 2016.

The following representatives were in attendance to respond to Members queries and comments:

¾  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development

¾  Gary Bartlett, Chief Highways Officer

¾  Cllr Richard  Lewis, Executive Board Member

¾  Cllr James Lewis, Previous Chair of WYCA Transport Committee

¾  Dave Haskins, WYCA

¾  Andrew Wheeler, WYCA

¾  Bill McKinnon, Vice Chairman A660 Joint Council

¾  Peter Bonsall, Emeritus Professor of Transport Planning at the University of Leeds

The key areas for discussion were:

·  An overview of key themes presented within the report, with particular points raised in regard to the scheme’s strategic case, issues of independent scrutiny, consultation and lessons learnt.

·  Clarity regarding future funding processes and the West Yorkshire Transport Fund

·  The extent to which objections of the NGT scheme were dealt with and the recognition that galvanising support from significant bodies within the city should have been given greater focus.

·  The need for communities to be appropriately engaged with early in the initial stages of future projects and for that engagement to be maintained.

·  Context surrounding the scheme’s ‘project pause’ in relation to the national recession and increasing cuts to public expenditure. The commitment to pursue the scheme submitted to the DfT in 2009 or risk the loss of £173.5 million funding for the city.

·  The nature of discussions that were had with DfT following the ‘project pause’.

·  The need to utilise the most advanced analytical tools available when designing and selecting future transport solutions, corridors and technology for the city.

·  The extent to which promoters of NGT were reliant upon the DfT to provide independent scrutiny for the scheme as well as approval.

·  The extent to which promoters of the scheme were compliant with and reflected upon the guidance framework contained within HM Treasury Green Book.

·  The impact of timing on the NGT scheme in relation to advancements in technology, changing public opinions and increasing use of social media.

·  Reassurance was sought regarding the process used to select transport solutions included within the city’s most recent proposal for DfT £173.5 million funding. DfT time constraints for both the proposal period and the need to utilise funding by 2021 were brought to the Scrutiny Board’s attention.

·  The Director of City Development stated the intention to seek the opinion and views of Elected Members regarding over-head wire technologies and technologies which could impact less favourably on vehicle emissions.

RESOLVED – The Scrutiny Board:

a)  Noted the information contained within the report of the Director of City Development and WYCA.

b)  Considered the written and verbal information provided by the visiting representatives.

c)  Requested that the Department for Transport be invited to the meeting of the 15 February 2017.