Agenda and draft minutes

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).

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 have been identified.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillor C Campbell, Councillor C Towler, Councillor N Buckley and Councillor N Dawson.

Notification was received that Councillor K Renshaw was to substitute for Councillor N Dawson.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2018.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2018 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support, Director of City Development and West Yorkshire Combined Authority which provides an overview of the progress made in response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Board detailed in its inquiry report ’Advancing Bus Service Provision’, published 17 May 2017.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support, the Director of City Development and West Yorkshire Combined Authority submitted a report which set out an overview of the progress made in response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Board detailed in its inquiry report ‘Advancing Bus Service Provision’, published 17 May 2017.

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Brandon Jones, Head of External Relations, FirstGroup

-  Martin Hirst, Commercial Director, FirstGroup

-  Andrew McGuinness, Chair of ABOWY

-  Alex Hornby, Chief Executive Officer, Transdev

-  Dave Pearson, Director of Transport Services, WYCA

-  Andrew Hall, Head of Transportation, LCC

-  Councillor Richard Lewis, Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport & Planning, LCC

The following information was appended to the report:

-  ‘Advancing Bus Service Provision’ Recommendation Tracking Report

-  ‘Transforming Our Bus Network’ Leaflet

-  ‘Leeds Scrutiny Inquiry: Bus Services’ PowerPoint presentation

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The context of the national decline in bus patronage, to a greater extent in West Yorkshire. The Board were informed of a range of initiative to increase bus patronage amongst young people, but sought clarity around other initiatives for different age groups. 

·  The need for better connectivity between communities, with bus routes incorporating hospitals, schools, supermarkets etc.

·  Addressing areas with low car ownership across the city. The Board were informed that intelligence is gathered to establish those who are entirely reliant on buses, and to work on corridor approaches areas with low car ownership.

·  The need for early engagement with housing developers, prior to the Section 106 stage, to ensure development plans incorporate bus routes and accessibility.

·  Current technological developments to ensure real time updates enable service users to effectively plan journeys.

·  Support for card readers on buses and new apps for purchasing tickets, but emphasis around the primary need to address issues with punctuality and increase contingencies for buses that do not complete journeys.

·  Pledges made by bus companies in relation to Bus 18, a collaborative approach to improve customer experience, reduce emissions and making buses easier to use.

·  Support for publishing performance data, in order to be more transparent and trusted by service users.

·  Proactive engagement with service users, and feedback following public consultation.

The status of recommendations were agreed as follows:

·  Recommendation 1 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 2 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 3 – Achieved

·  Recommendation 4 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 5 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 6 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 7 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 8 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 9 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure & Investment):

a)  Noted the information contained within the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support, the Director of City Development and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

b)  Considered the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To be determined.