Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair to welcome Members and the public to the meeting.

Lead: Chair

1.1          The Chair opened the meeting by welcoming Members to Newcastle and congratulated Newcastle United on their cup success at Wembley the day before.

1.2          The Chair explained that as a result of a number of new Combined Authorities having been created since the December Board, there were a number of changes to the makeup of Board. Whilst not new to the Board, the Chair welcomed Cllr Phil Riley in his new capacity as Member for the Lancashire Combined County Authority. He also expressed his thanks on behalf of the Board to Cllr Rupert Swarbrick (Lancashire County Council and minority group Vice Chair of TfN Board), Cllr Lynn Willaims (Blackpool Council) and Cllr Mark Ieronimo (Hull City Council) – all of whom had now left the Board - for the tremendous amount of work that they have done for TfN over the years.

1.3          Apologies for the meeting were received from Mayors Burnham, and Coppard, and Cllrs O’Brien, Hunt, Gittins, Rollo, Handley, Gorman, Mannion, Hill and Mitchell as well as Nick Harris, Stephen Parnaby and Clare Hayward.

1.4          Due to the number of apologies, the Chair informed the Board that the meeting was not quorate.

1.5          The Chief Executive noted that even with the impending arrivals of Mayor Brabin and Cllr Kilbane, the meeting would still be inquorate. He therefore proposed that the meeting would be conducted as a Chief Executive’s consultation meeting as set out in the constitution. He explained that under his powers in the constitution, he would be seeking the Boards view and steer at various agenda items and that this would then be followed up with Members who were not present.

1.6          Mayor McGuinness asked whether the meeting being inquorate was a regular occurrence.

1.7          The Chief Executive explained that this was not a regular occurrence and that unfortunately several Members had sent their apologies overnight.

Members are required to declare any personal, prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interest they may have relating to items on the agenda and state the nature of such interest.

Lead: Chair

2.1          There were no Declarations of Interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 9 December 2024 (including updates on agreed matters as appropriate by the Chief Executive).

Lead: Chair

3.1          The minutes of the meeting of the Transport for the North Board held on 9 December 2024 were considered.

3.2          Members received the update from the Chief Executive following the last meeting as well as the Quarterly Operating Report.

Resolved:

1)   That the minutes of the Transport for the North Board held on 9 December 2024 be approved.

2)   That the Chief Executive’s update and the Quarterly Operating report be noted.

Mayor McGuinness and Rachelle Forsyth-Wardto provide a briefing on the progress being made in delivering on the North East’s transport requirements.

Lead: Mayor McGuinness/Rachelle Forsyth-Ward

4.1          The Chair invited Mayor McGuinness to give her briefing to the Board on her priorities for the North East.

4.2          Mayor McGuinness welcomed everyone to the North East. She set out that her focus is to create equal opportunity for all across the North East, a place that is on the map nationally and internationally and somewhere where they are creating great jobs, building great houses and ensuring that things are in place that enable all children in the North East to have the opportunities that they deserve. She then stated that transport is key to these ambitions.

4.3          She explained that the North East is just about to submit its Growth Plan and highlighted the key missions set out in it. These include the North East being a place of opportunity, of a growing vibrant economy for everyone, a place they’re proud to call home and the home of green energy and global trade. She then emphasised that transport is fundamental to all these things.

4.4          She informed Board about the approach the North East had taken with their Local Transport Plan consultation which she described as ‘the biggest conversation’ that they have ever had with the public about what transport means for them. She highlighted how improved transport unlocks opportunity, and the bold ambitions she has to make it safer, more integrated, more connected and greener. Additionally, she outlined their plans for bringing the buses back under public control, the expansion of the Tyne and Wyre Metro system whilst at the same time renewing the rolling stock. Looking forward a strategic priority for her was re-opening of the Leamside Line. She finished her opening remarks by noting that the Great North is stronger together than the sum of our parts.

4.5          Members received the presentation from Ms Rachelle Forsyth Ward who outlined in more detail the Mayors priorities and the work of the North East Combined Authority.

4.6          Responding to a question from the Chair, Cllr Gannon stated that it is a challenge introducing new rolling stock on any system and matters were further complicated for the North East by the need to maintain the old trains whilst introducing the new ones. He explained it will take up to two years to introduce the new stock. He stated that the new rolling stock is being rolled out, with more to be introduced this summer.

4.7          Mayor McGuinness described the new trains as transformational and set out her ambition for the new trains to be rolled out as quicky as possible given the huge difference to service reliability, comfort and safety and help that comes with them. She highlighted that the expansion of the system to Washington was a key priority. She explained that this would effectively be an initial step in opening up the Leamside Investment Corridor.

4.8          The Chair noted the safety aspects of the new trains and suggested that these will make people feel a lot safer.

4.9          Cllr Mundry asked about the buses. He  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider and approve the Business Plan and Budget.

Lead: Paul Kelly

5.1          Members received the report of the Finance Director. In the absence of the Finance Director, the Chief Executive highlighted the key points within the report.

5.2          The Chief Executive advised that as the meeting was being held as a consultation call, the main focus was on recommendation 2.1f and he was seeking the Boards support for the proposed budget as set out in the papers. He informed the Board that Mayor Burnham and Cllr Gittins had indicated that they are supportive of the approach to the budget. Additionally, he stated that the view of other Members who were not in attendance would be sought in writing. 

5.3          Mayor Brabin and Cllr Harker arrived at 13.40.

5.4          Mayor Brabin enquired about publication of the gender pay gap for Transport for the North.

5.5          The Deputy Chief Executive advised the Board that TfN employs less than 250 people, therefore there is no requirement to report on gender pay gap. However, she explained that the senior leadership team do monitor and discuss TfN’s diversity on a monthly basis, with 37% of the TfN staff being female. These officers work across a range of roles within the organisation, including senior leadership roles, Heads of Service positions and Transport Planners. She said that she would take it away and consider if it was something which the executive could report back on in more detail.

5.6          Mayor Brabin stated that the percentage of female staff was better than she anticipated it would be and requested that even though it is not a statutory obligation for TfN to report on the gender pay gap she encouraged them to do so.

5.7          The Monitoring Officer explained that as the meeting was being held as a consultation meeting formal approval for the Budget would be secured through a combination of the support of the Members present and via e-mail consultation. Both of these actions are being undertaken using the Chief Executive's delegated powers under the Transport for the North constitution.

5.8          In terms of Recommendation 2.1f, she stated that officers were seeking the Board’s support and explained that this decision would be ratified at the next Board meeting on June 23. Noting that the decision to approve the Budget is specifically reserved to TfN Board, she advised that by getting the Board’s support at this meeting, together with confirming the support of those not in attendance via an e-mail consultation, it would allow TfN to operate lawfully within its Budget from the 1 April 2025.

5.9          This proposal was moved by Cllr Mundry and seconded by Cllr Riley.

5.10       Mayor Brabin asked about the TfN establishment and the direction of travel for roles as rail reform moves forward.

5.11       The Chief Executive acknowledged that there are roles within the establishment that will need to evolve and change as a consequence of rail reform and noted that the Rail North Committee is engaged in the rail reform conversation. He reminded the meeting that the Rail North Partnership executive is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider and approve recommendations from General Purpose Committee.

Lead: Joanne Barclay

6.1          The Chair explained that changes to the Constitution require a supermajority. He explained that the changes were a consequence of changes due to additional devolution arrangements being put in place.

6.2          The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the proposed changes on quorum had been considered and were recommended by the General Purposes Committee.

6.3          Mayor McGuinness stated that she believed that there was a more fundamental issue than just meeting quoracy requirements. She viewed the devolution agenda as a significant constitutional change and suggested that there is a need to reflect on the role of Transport for the North in the devolved landscape.

6.4          She highlighted a number of wider questions that need addressing including, the shape of TfN as an organsation, its’ fitness for purpose, how it will fit with and support the work of the Great North Partnership, and how TfN remains focused on the North’s priorities.

6.5          The Chair accepted the points raised by Mayor McGuinness and stated that the points raised needed to be part of a conversation that the Mayors have together with what they want to feed in as part of the great Northern debate. He added that the report was dealing with the consequences of the changes that have been brought about and the fact that the funding letter had been received from the Secretary of State for the next 12 months. He stated that there was a need for conversations to be had over the issues raised by Mayor McGuinness over the next 12 months as to the longer term vision for Transport for the North and how Transport for the North could be useful to constituent authorities.

6.6          The Deputy Chief Executive acknowledged that the world around TfN has changed significantly with the commitment to further devolution. She continued by noting that the changes proposed to the Board enabled TfN to reflect the changes that have taken place to date but there is also recognition that further work is required as the devolution agenda continues. She noted that rail reform will give elected Mayors a statutory role and that there is a need to consider the implications of this for TfN.  She continued by noting that conversations are already taking place with officers from constituent authorities as to how TfN can support and enable authorities in their agendas going forward. This would enable a discussion with Members and the intention was for an initial report to come to the June meeting where ideas can be developed further.

6.7          Mayor Brabin supported the comments of Mayor McGuinness. She highlighted the importance of time and that things need to move quicker.

6.8          The Chief Executive also acknowledged the comments made by Mayor McGuinness and Mayor Brabin and accepted that TfN needed to work with the Constituent Authorities to shape the future of TfN.

6.9          Mr Rawstron highlighted the fact that TfN does not just reflect the Metro Mayor areas. He noted that there are still large areas that aren’t currently represented by Metro  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To receive and note the update on communications and engagement.

Lead: Katie Day

7.1          Members received the report from the Deputy Chief Executive who outlined the key points within her report.

7.2          Cllr Thornton asked about the discontinuation of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and asked if another group would pick up this work.

7.3          The Chair stated that there was a lot of effort put into the APPG for Transport for the North with attendance from MPs at the meetings held being variable. He explained that there many examples of where APPGs exist to support specific transport issues in the North. Moving forward, the proposal is that TfN aligns itself with the work of those APPGs.

7.4          Mayor Brabin welcomed the change and believes that this is the evidence of the new world. Addressing the issue of the discontinuation of the APPG, she reflected that in the world of devolution things are moving far quicker than a traditional approach through the use of APPGs. She stated more excitement needs to be created about TfN being at the centre of growth.

7.5          Whilst recognising that the North needs the support of parliamentary colleagues to get what the North needs, Mayor McGuinness reflected on how a focus on APPGs encouraged debates in London, when in reality the debates need to be in the North.

7.6          Mr Rawstron welcomed the approach and was supportive of working collaboratively with partners and business, seeing it as essential. He also highlighted that messaging from TfN needs to be sharper and shorter.

Resolved:

That the report and Board feedback be noted.

To receive a briefing on work to develop the Northern Appraisal Playbook, and to agree the next steps.

Lead: Rachel Ford

8.1          Members received the report of the Senior Policy and Strategy Officer and the Analysis Manager. The Interim Strategy Director then highlighted the key points within the report.

8.2          Mayor Brabin was supportive of the work and believed the argument needs to be made that investment in the North’s transport is about social inclusion and growing northern economies. She believed that the Chancellor was likely to reflect the need for changes in the ‘Green Book’ along the lines of TfN’s work.

8.3          Responding to a question from Mayor Brabin, the Interim Strategy Director confirmed that the letter would be sent following Board approval.

8.4          Cllr McCormack provided Liverpool City Region’s support for this work believing that it would provide a more level playing field for northern transport schemes.

8.5          Cllr Kilbane highlighted that one of the big issues with the ‘Green Book’ in its current form is that it does not measure social value when evaluating transport schemes.

8.6          Cllr Mundry believed that this was the first step to addressing the imbalance in investment across the country.

8.7          Mr Rawstron stated that it is economically illiterate for the Treasury to downplay the advantage of economic growth from a very low base in North compared to the South. He believes that the reverse is true and that to increase growth from a low base has a disproportionately bigger beneficial economic impact, whereas spending more in the South just the basis of economic value alone misses the wider benefits of any investment. He suggested that this should be the overriding message that can wrap around the submission.

Resolved:

1)   That the report and the initial findings be noted

2)   That Board’s feedback on the draft letter to HM Treasury (HMT) on how TfN can support their review of the Green Book be noted.

To consider and endorse the submission to the Spending Review.

Lead: Martin Tugwell

9.1          Members received the report of the Chief Executive. He apologised for the report being late and noted the earlier comments from Members about not having had the time to read the report. He invited Members to come back to him by the end of the week with any comments on the draft submission. He said that a revised version of the submission would be circulated to Members prior to its submission.

9.2          Mayor Brabin was satisfied with the suggestion. She advised that Constituent Authorities had been asked to submit their transport submission by mid-February and asked whether the TfN submission was going to be a collective northern one and how it relates to those of the constituent authorities.

9.3          The Chief Executive clarified that the intention was to amplify messages that individual authorities have already made. He informed the Board that he had reflected on comments made at the Convention for the North and two of the big messages he took away were that transport should be treated as a protected budget and that there should be a commitment to a long-term investment programme.

9.4          He advised that this submission was looking to build on the key building blocks already in place. This included projects such as completing work on the Transpennine Route Upgrade, moving forward with Yorkshire Mass Transit, and delivering the A66 improvement.

9.5          Mayor Brabin emphasised that this is also an opportunity to reiterate the consistent messaging for long term projects such as the T-shaped station at Leeds.

9.6          Cllr Mundry requested that Warrington Bank Quay as a key hub needed to be included in the paper in the Manchester Liverpool corridor.

9.7          Cllr Kilbane asked about what process would be used to decide which projects will be included within the submission.

9.8          Cllr McCormack highlighted Liverpool City Region’s disappointment in the omission of any specific mention of development funding for major enhancements to the rail network. Additionally, there was no mention of Liverpool Central in respect of funding and seeking a commitment from Government to work in partnership with them to deliver transformation to the city and regional connectivity.

9.9          Cllr Thornton requested that he would like to see something included about investing in maintaining and fixing failing assets. He specifically highlighted concrete structures that need to be rebuilt.

9.10       In response, the Chief Executive noted the Board’s comments. In respect of the Leeds to Hull electrification, he reminded Board that this has always been part of the Boards position relating to NPR ‘in full’ and has previously been seen as a quick win.

9.11       In terms of process, he asked for all Members to submit comments by the end of the week, this will then be redrafted and circulated the following week for comment on the final version.

Resolved:

1)   That Members submit their comments on the draft by the end of the week.

2)   That a redrafted version of the report to be circulated to Board for final comment before being submitted.

To receive an update on the use of the TfN Offer.

Lead: Rachel Ford

10.1       Members received the report of the Principal Policy and Strategy Officer and the Service Manager. The Interim Strategy Director then highlighted the key points in the report.

10.2       Mayor Brabin expressed her thanks as they currently use the service a lot and sees this continuing.

10.3       The Chair thanked Members for making use of the TfN Offer and he said that  this is a practical way in which TfN can help.

Resolved:

That Board noted the key updates regarding the TfN Offer, its value to the Mayoral Combined Authorities and Local Transport Authorities.

To note TfN’s corporate risks and risk management activity.

Lead: Paul Kelly

11.1       Members received the report of the Risk Manager and the Chief Executive highlighted the key elements within the report.

Resolved:

That Board noted TfN’s corporate risks and risk management activity over the last 3 months.

The next meeting will be held on Monday 23 June 2025, 1.00pm – 3.00pm, in Liverpool.

The next meeting will be Monday 23 June 2025 at 1pm.

Any business which the Chair is satisfied is urgent by reason of special circumstances pursuant to section 100B 4 (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.