Decision details

The Director of City Development submitted a report which presented details of Leeds City Council’s formal response to the statutory consultation being undertaken by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) on the revised Mass Transit Vision 2040 for West Yorkshire, which was required to be submitted by 16 January 2023. The report noted that WYCA had a statutory requirement to consult key stakeholders, including the five West Yorkshire districts ahead of the Combined Authority working towards the Vision’s adoption as part of the Local Transport Plan for the region.

In considering the submitted report and the proposed response to the statutory consultation, Members discussed the Government’s process by which the Mass Transit Vision was to be delivered and the respective roles played in such matters by the Council, WYCA and the Government. In considering this, WYCA’s role as promoter of the scheme was emphasised together with the evidence based approach being taken to formulate it, which included the Council providing its clear view on the vision, as part of the current consultative phase. The Board was also provided with further information regarding the ongoing dialogue between the Council and WYCA to ensure that a partnership approach was taken and that the Combined Authority was supported and appropriately resourced throughout this process.

In addition, emphasis was placed upon the crucial need for the vision to be delivered at pace, as reflected in the Council’s proposed response.

Members also discussed the budget which had been allocated to WYCA for the development work and initial delivery of the scheme from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement fund.

Emphasis was placed upon the significant benefits that a mass transit system would bring to the city and the region, in terms of progressing the approach towards net zero carbon energy consumption, connecting communities and the promotion of inclusive growth.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, be noted, and that the response to the Mass Transit Vision 2040 statutory consultation, as set out in the draft letter at Appendix A to the submitted report, be endorsed; 

(b)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation) will receive a report on the resource requirements needed to ensure that the City Council’s vision and ambition is continually embedded in the development and delivery work undertaken particularly to fulfil the Council’s statutory duties.