Issue - meetings

4.1             Members received the report from the Head of Rail Specification & Delivery who highlighted the key areas of the report.

 

4.2          The report was welcomed by the Chair who endorsed its discussion at the next Board meeting.  He also welcomed the proposed discussions with the Mayoral Combined Authorities and local authorities on the “Double devolution” principle.

 

4.3          Mayor Driscoll echoed the comments of the Chair and highlighted the work being done in the North East and Cumbria where authorities are working together on the Carlisle to Newcastle Railway.  He also provided his support for the profit and loss approach and stated the North is happy to make decisions for its residents due to knowing them best and that the leaders of the North are not afraid of accountability.

 

4.4          Cllr Hinchcliffe welcomed the opportunity for more devolution on to the railways.

 

4.5          The Strategic Rail Director highlighted the benefits of the Rail North Partnership;he explained that whilst not giving full devolution it does provide a building block and that Great British Railways (GBR) want to build on these partnerships.  He further explained that there is a provision for further devolution through the Business Unit model and this will be explored with partners.

 

4.6          The Chief Executive stated that TfN is tracking the legislative framework being taken through Parliament to establish GBR. He explained that the work being undertake enables TfN to advise on how the legislative framework needs to work and builds on what exists.

 

Resolved:

1)   That the Committee notes the progress on working with the industry on implementing the Rail White Paper in the North;

 

2)   That the Committee endorses the approach set out in this report including the proposal to utilise existing levers within the Rail North Partnership Agreement set out in paragraphs 3.11-3.19;

 

3)   That officers  undertake deeper discussion of the development of the new partnership with Great British Railways, especially in relation to a prioritised pipeline of investment and double devolution, to take place early in 2022, after Transport for the North has initiated discussions with Great British Railways Transition Team and the Mayoral Combined Authorities and LEPs