Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Decelopment

The report of the Head and Scrutiny Member Development provided an update on Transport Governance Work that had taken place.  Also included in the report was a submission from the Director of City Development and additional papers included a report of the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) which outlined proposals for their governance and terms of reference for the ITA Executive Committee.  A submission was also made by Parish Councillor George Hall.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Councillor Ryk Downes, Chair of the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority (WYITA)
• Mr Kieran Preston, Director General, Metro
• Councillor G E Hall, Scholes Parish Councillor
• Gary Bartlett, Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation

Apologies for absence were sent on behalf of Mr Ian Williams, Director of Business Representation and Policy, Chamber of Commerce.

Gary Bartlett, Kieran Preston and Councillor Downes addressed the meeting.

Key issues highlighted included the following:

• Transport governance issues were being considered at two levels – on a City Region basis and across West Yorkshire.
• Members’ attention was brought to the proposed terms of reference for the Leeds City Region Transport Panel.
• With regard to the establishment of a formal Governance Scheme for  West Yorkshire, it was reported that meetings had been held with representatives of the Department of Transport (DfT).  Some points of concern had been raised by the DfT regarding the proposed levels of legislative change that was being suggested and the possibility of some legal advice and support. A response from them was awaited.
• The role of the interim ITA and accountability issues.
• Detailed working arrangements for the ITA would be produced for the AGM in June 2010.
• Audit and scrutiny issues for the ITA
• Private sector involvement – key private sector objectives included economic growth and regeneration.
• The bus operators who determine the level and frequency  of bus services based on commercial criteria and  ITA proposals to introduce quality bus contracts that will  impose on operators a level and frequency of bus service on specific routes.

Parish Councillor George Hall referred to a submission that he had made to the Board and highlighted issues including the Local Transport Plan and the strategy for community involvement.

In response to Members’ comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Representation on the West Yorkshire ITA Executive Board needed to involve all 5 local authorities as well as being able to demonstrate a political balance.
• The 8 Member ITA Executive Board and the remit of the wider 22 Member ITA.
• How could you make any revised City Region Transport Governance arrangements more democratic and accountable?
• Ways in which to involve the community and make best use of public knowledge.

RESOLVED

-  That the report and discussion be noted.

-  Endorse the report of the Director of City Development on the transport governance work that has been  undertaken since the last meeting. 

-  To reaffirm the Board's  decision on 16th October 2009 to endorse the establishment of an 8 Member Executive Board for the ITA with representation from all 5 West Yorkshire authorities from 1st January 2010.

-  Welcome the WYITA’s proposal to move to Quality Bus Contracts.

-  Welcome wider community, business involvement and democratic accountability in any revised governance arrangements for the City Region.

-  That the Principal Scrutiny Adviser submit to this Board a draft  final report and recommendations  following conclusion of  this Inquiry.

(Councillor Fox joined the meeting at 10.10 a.m. and Councillor Atha at 11.10 a.m. during the discussion on this item).