Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 305 KBVenue: Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR. View directions
Contact: Becky Atherton (0113 37 88642) Email: Becky.atherton@leeds.gov.uk
Link: to View Meeting Recording
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
APPEALS AGAINST REFUSAL OF INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 of the Access to Information Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded) Minutes: There were no appeals. |
|
|
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:-
Minutes: There was no exempt information. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
Declarations of Interests To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’. Minutes: There were no declarations of pecuniary interests. |
|
|
Apologies for Absence and Notification of Substitutes To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.
Minutes: Apologies were received from the following Scrutiny Board members: - Cllr M Robinson - Cllr S Lay |
|
|
Minutes - 6 November 2024 To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2024.
Minutes: The Principal Scrutiny Advisor confirmed that in relation to minute 40 further information has been circulated to members regarding careers events.
The Chair confirmed she had also emailed the Chief Officer (Economy & Skills) as agreed to formally endorse the approach to inclusive growth in Leeds.
RESOLVED: Members agreed that the minutes were a correct record of the meeting on 6 November.
|
|
|
To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2024/25 municipal year.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Principal Scrutiny Advisor asked members to consider the draft work schedule at appendix 1.
Members recommended that the successor 2025/26 Scrutiny Board retains bus provision as a single item agenda in 12 months’ time.
Members were reminded that a remote working group to consider the budget proposals that fall within the remit of this Scrutiny Board would be taking place on 9 December 2024 1-2.30pm. The discussions that take place at this meeting will help inform the joint scrutiny statement that is provided to the Executive Board in response to the budget proposals.
RESOLVED: Members noted the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2024/25 municipal year and recommended that the successor 2025/26 Scrutiny Board retains bus provision as a single item agenda in 12 months’ time.
|
|
|
Future of Bus Provision in Leeds To receive an update from the Director of Transport Services at West Yorkshire Combined Authority regarding the future of bus provision in Leeds. Additional documents: Minutes: Those individuals in attendance for this item were:
· Tim Taylor - Director of Transport Services (WYCA) · Cllr Peter Carlill - Deputy Chair Transport Committee (WYCA) · Darren Rushworth - Regional Secretary Unite the Union · Steff Simeone - Unite the Union Representative at TransDev · Kayleigh Ingham - Commercial Director First Bus · Megan Hope - Operations Director First Bus · Paul Turner - Commercial Director TransDev · Paul Moses - Communications Manager Arriva UK · Gary Bartlett - Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation · Cllr Jonathan Pryor - Executive Member
The Chair began by thanking everyone for attending and extended the thanks of the Scrutiny Board to Tim Taylor for the report provided in advance of the meeting.
In her introductory comments, Cllr Bithell noted that bus provision continues to be a significant priority for the Scrutiny Board and is frequently raised in relation to other areas of work – including the delivery of inclusive growth in the city and plans for mass transit.
She reflected upon post-pandemic challenges around patronage and financing for the sector, and welcomed positive customer feedback about bus drivers. She noted there had been significant developments regarding franchising since the Scrutiny Board’s last update in November 2023.
In his introductory comments Tim Taylor highlighted the timeframe for transitioning to franchising, advising the Scrutiny Board that the first procurement of services would begin in quarter four of 2025.
Other highlights from this year included service enhancements funded through the Bus Service Improvement Plan such as ‘Superbus’ schemes developed in partnership with commercial operators and retaining park and ride service provision in Leeds.
Cllr Carlill noted that patronage levels are still lower than pre-pandemic levels. He confirmed the Combined Authority and the Mayor have previously agreed to retain the current £2 fare cap until the end of March 2025. From April 2025 until December 2025 this will rise to £2.50. The Combined Authority is not part of the national fare cap scheme so must fund costs locally. Cllr Carlill reiterated that the safety across the network, particularly for women and girls, remains a key priority for WYCA.
Darren Rushworth advised the Scrutiny Board that union members are concerned about the impact of franchising on job security and conditions of work. He welcomed the positive way in which providers such as First and TransDev have worked with trade unions to resolve pay claims this year.
Members requested more information about several issues including: - An apparent decline in bus use by the under 26/student cohort referenced in the appended report. - National funding allocations for bus service improvements. - Funding arrangements required to transition to franchising. - Risk levels for public funding in a franchising structure as opposed to commercial open market. - Ways in which bus travel can become more attractive than car journeys. - The consequences for communities of services being cancelled due to a risk of anti-social behaviour, while recognising the need to ensure driver safety. - Evidence of safety concerns, particularly for women travelling in the evening, at bus stops and ... view the full minutes text for item 51. |
|
|
Date and Time of Next Meeting The next public meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment & Inclusive Growth) will take place at 10.15am on Wednesday 22 January 2025. There will be a pre-meeting for all members at 10.00am.
As part of the consultation on the budget proposals that fall within the remit of this Scrutiny Board, there will also be a private working group taking place for remotely at 1pm on Monday 9 December 2024. Minutes: The next public meeting of the Scrutiny Board will take place on 22 January 2024 at 10.15am. There will be a pre-meeting for all Board members at 10.00am.
Members were also asked to note there is a remote working group to consider the budget proposals that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny board on 9 December 1-2.30pm. |