Agenda item

Lead: Martin Tugwell

5.1             Members received the report from the Chief Executive who highlighted the key points within the report.

 

5.2          Cllr Hinchcliffe was supportive of the proposed themes but requested clarity on how the arrangements associated with Northern Powerhouse Rail fitted in with the constitution.

 

The Chief Executive explained that the discussions that the main Board has been having about co-sponsorship arrangements was picking up this issue, noting that the Board was considering how TfN will work with the Department for Transport in providing oversight, along with appropriate checks and balances.  Additionally, he explained that the Rail North Partnership is covered within the Constitution and stated that the work proposed would enable officers to examine whether TfN’s relationship with the DfT in terms of the processes relating to NPR needed to be incorporated into the constitution.

5.3          The Chair asked for a commitment to ensure stronger relationships with other areas including the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland, as well as with the Midlands.  He emphasised the importance of recognising the need for dialogue with local authorities outside the North where they are responsible for roads that connect cities across the North.

 

In respect of the devolved administrations the Chief Executive questioned whether this was something for the Constitution but reassured the meeting that he saw linkages with them as important moving forward.  With regard to working with local authorities outside the North, he drew the Committee’s attention as to how Members having raised at Board an issue relating to the road links between Manchester and Sheffield which run through Derbyshire, officers had worked with those authorities to support an approach to Government.

5.4          Cllr Hinchcliffe referred to proposals for Great British Railways (GBR) and emphasised the need for dialogue with the Combined Authorities.

 

In response the Chief Executive explained that there is already ability through the Rail North Agreement to set up Regional Business Units which provides even stronger linkage between local partners and what happens with the rail network.  He explained that this allows for more local integration between local rail services and other transport within their areas.

On GBR he noted that the sector was waiting to hear if there was to be legislation in the King’s Speech.

5.5          On the issue of TfN engagement with other rail operators the Chair explained that for those areas on the edge of the region then more transport will come from outside of the region leading him to emphasise the importance of it being ‘Transport for the North’ and not ‘Transport in the North’.   He further suggested that the review should consider what can be done to increase the linkage with all operators that have an impact on the North economically. 

 

Additionally, he expressed the need for urgency on Board representation in view of the fact that LEPs will start to disappear shortly. He suggested that a focus on a quick fix on business representation should be examined. 

Resolved:

That the Committee endorsed, subject to taking on board the points made in the discussion, the scope of the review.