Issue - meetings

To receive a summary of the key issues arising from the consultation on the draft Strategic Transport Plan.

Lead: Katie Day/Lucy Jacques

6.1          Members received the report of the Principal Policy & Strategy Development Officer. The Director of Strategy, Analysis and Communications thanked Members and their teams for their continued support and input.  She then outlined the key points of the report and looked to Members for a steer on four specific areas associated with the STP: these were the strategic outcomes, the right share and vision zero metrics, the potential amendments identified post the consultation and potential new areas of work.

6.2          Cllr Gittins requested greater ambition in terms of the Vision Zero metric and would like an earlier date than 2050 to be set if possible.  The desire for a more ambitious vision zero was supported by other Members of Board. 

6.3          Mayor Brabin welcomed inclusion of light rail within the amendments proposed. Cllr Hughes requested that TfN also consider light rail in rural areas as this could help reduce congestion on roads and within town centres.

6.4          Mr Rawstron was pleased to see the recognition of the challenges faced by rural areas and the emphasis on freight and logistics included within the Plan. On the right share metrics, he expressed his concern that Board is signing up to a net zero overall regional increase in private car mileage and he was concerned that this might act as a restriction on parts of the North.

6.5          On Mr Rawstron’s point on the right share metric for private car mileage, the Director of Strategy, Analysis and Communications proposed a further conversation on this offline.  On the metrics more generally, she stated that as regional values they offered the ability for variation across to reflect the local circumstances: the key role of the STP is about the cumulative impact/progress across the region.

Resolved:

1)   That Board notes the outcomes from the statutory consultation, summarised in section 3, and the detail provided in Appendix 1;

2)   That Board’s comments on the STP are noted and that they will guide its revision post consultation;

3)   That the arrangements for finalising the STP ahead of TfN Board in December are noted.

To consider the update following the public consultation.

Lead: Katie Day/Lucy Jacques

4.1            Members received the report and presentation from the Acting Head of Strategy and Policy who highlighted the key points of the presentation. She talked the Committee through the first few slides and paused to gather the Committee’s feedback on the numbers who engaged in the consultation.

4.2            Cllr Dobson asked about the geographical breakdown of those who had participated in the consultation.  

The Acting Head of Strategy and Policy explained that this will be part of the further analysis that is taking place and this breakdown will only be available for those that participated in the virtual consultation room.  She explained that during the consultation demographic information was monitored in order that activities could be targeted at under represented or harder to engage groups.

4.3            Cllr Parish expressed disappointment that only 9 MPs from across the North had participated.

The Director of Strategy, Analysis and Communications explained that all Northern MPs from the all party parliamentary group were invited to participate in a drop in session.  Of the 9 who attended there was a good geographical split from across the North.  She further explained that separate briefings and materials were provided as well as it being promoted through other channels. 

The Committee was informed that there had been an excellent level of response from the Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) and that there had been significant engagement through various local groups and committees.  Additionally, she noted that the numbers who engaged in the consultation were comparable to the numbers who have participated in consultations for other Sub-national Transport Bodies.

4.4            Cllr Davison was disappointed with the numbers who participated and asked how many were members of the general public as opposed to other stakeholders.

The Director of Strategy, Analysis and Communications confirmed that 220 members of the public took part in the citizens’ panel and 94 responded via e-mail or letters.  She explained that the challenge with this work is who the plan is written for.  She stated that it is written at a strategic level so that it can support and guide the work of LTAs, as well as be provided as statutory advice to the Secretary of State on the outcomes and the ambitions for the region. With this taken into consideration she was satisfied with the number of people who had responded.

4.5            Cllr Salter commented that the consultation gives the impression that there should be a move towards reducing car travel which may be viewed in a negative light by the public. He added that whilst the information is useful the views expressed cannot be taken as representative of all of the public.

4.6            The Acting Head of Strategy and Policy then highlighted some of the key themes that emerged from the consultation.

4.7            The Chair focussed on the lack of ambition theme. He addressed the issue of carbon net zero and the perception that it is not ambitious enough, with which he agrees.  He also raised the issues of air quality, health and wellbeing, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4