Decision details

i)  Note the interim feedback from the Transport Conversation and how this has shaped the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme

ii)  Approve the proposals for the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme which will utilise the DfT funding. 

The Director of City Development submitted a report which set out the strategic case and emerging proposals for the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme.  The report also provided an update on the progress in taking forward the city’s longer term transport strategy which would be developed next year, including a clear ambition to consider again the case for mass transit provision in order to meet the future needs of the city. Furthermore, the report also set out the results so far from the ‘Transport Conversation’ and showed how this process had guided the approach for scheme selection within the Leeds Public Transport Investment

Programme.

Given the significant nature of this matter, it was requested that consideration be given to a period of time being designated at full Council in order to provide Political Group Leaders with an opportunity to discuss key issues arising from the Transport Conversation and the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme. In response, it was undertaken that liaison would take place with Political Group Leaders in order to discuss this matter further.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board discussed the actions and approach to be taken with bus operators in the city with a view to ensuring that improved service provision was achieved in Leeds.

Members discussed how the proposals, amongst other things, aimed to significantly improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions, whilst also reducing congestion.  

The Board received further information on the associated wide ranging consultation and communications process which had taken place to date in terms of getting to the current position regarding the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme, with the restricted timescales associated with this process being noted. Assurances were also provided in respect of the inclusive consultation exercise which would continue as part of the Transport Conversation, which would play a key role in developing a long term transport strategy for the city, and which would help to maintain and develop strong relationships with partners, which would be key to the successful delivery of the strategy.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the programme of schemes to be included in the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme (as detailed within the submitted report),which will utilise the £173.5m of Department for Transport funding and bring in significant complementary private sector investment, be agreed;

(b)  That the submission of an Outline Strategic Case to the Department for Transport for spending the £173.5m allocated to Leeds, be approved;

(c)  That the feedback from the ‘Transport Conversation’ and how this has shaped the proposed Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme, be noted;

(d)  That approval be given for officers to return to Executive Board in Autumn 2017 with a further update on the ‘Transport Conversation’ and the draft 20 year Transport Strategy, including commentary on the progress on development of mass rapid transit options;

(e)  That approval be given for £8.8m of Leeds City Council capital monies earmarked for NGT to be included in this programme, excluding an allowance for NGT funding which is committed to the Clay Pit Lane junction scheme;

(f)  That approval be given for the monies identified in resolution (e) (above) be made available immediately in order to commence work on the preliminary designs of some of the schemes identified in resolution (a) (above);

(g)  That approval be given for negotiations to continue with bus operators, developers and partners in order to leverage significant additional financial investments to support the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme;

(h)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer Highways and Transportation is responsible for the delivery of the programme.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor Golton required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on the decisions referred to within this minute. Also, in relation to such matters, as Councillor B Anderson was in attendance as a non-voting Member, he drew the Board’s attention to the fact that if he were able to, he would abstain from voting on the decisions referred to within this minute)

City wide Transport Conversation undertaken following the Transport Summit

Members, Public and Stakeholder groups