The Chair to welcome Members and the public to the meeting.
Lead: Chair
Minutes:
2.1 The Chair offered his congratulations and thanks to those who had been successful in the May elections.
2.2 He observed that although the political landscape has changed since June, the challenges remain the same. He reported that he had had a one-to-one meeting with the Secretary of State (SoS) for Transport in the preceding week in which they had discussed a range of issues. The SoS had indicated that she would like to attend a future TfN meeting, and the TfN executive is working with private office to arrange this.
2.3 The Chair welcomed Conrad Bailey, Director General Public Transport and Local Group,at the Department for Transport who has responsibility for liaison between DfT and the Mayors, as well as being responsible for the sponsorship arrangements with TfN.
2.4 Mr Bailey thanked the Board for inviting him and explained that he took up post shortly before the General Election. He explained that DfT officials are working with the new Ministerial team to take forward their agenda. The SoS has set out a clear set of directions for the Department: to “move fast and fix things”, including five main themes. The first involves improving railway performance and delivering rail reform; the second the improvement of bus services (including the Bus Bill); the third is integration of the transport system; the fourth is the pursuit of greener transport options, and the fifth is equality.
2.5 He reflected that the Government’s priorities are in many ways mirrored by the Board’s agenda today. His team is making good progress on rail matters, the Public Ownership Bill, and the shadow arrangements for Great British Railways. As to industrial action, he reported that Alex Hynes has been supporting Ministers as they seek to improve industrial relations. On this he reflected that good progress has been made with discussions with ASLEF, and matters are also progressing well with the RMT.
2.6 Regarding bus reforms he reported that preparation of the Bus Reform Bill is underway. He commented that there is less emphasis on compliance, and more emphasis on supporting authorities to realise the potential of buses in support of their place-based agendas.
2.7 Mr Bailey noted that a Budget was scheduled for 30th October and that a multi-year spending review was expected thereafter next spring. He recognised that these will take place within a tight fiscal context for public sector finances, and looked forward to working with TfN and meeting key colleagues during the processes to understand the North’s priorities.
2.8 The Chair thanked Mr Bailey for his comments and observed that the King’s Speech had included a significant amount of transport legislation.
2.9 Cllr Swinburn asked for an update on the position in relation to Bus Service Improvement Plan funding (BSIPs).
2.10 Mr Bailey answered that more would be known once the Chancellor presents their Budget at the end of October.
2.11 Cllr Gannon took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of this issue, as he perceives that two financial “cliff edges” are approaching.
2.12 He continued by explaining that the funding provided by the previous Government to incentivise bus use had been very welcome, but there remains uncertainty over the future of the £2 national fares scheme and the continuation of BSIP funding. He appreciated that whilst there are no answers ahead of the Budget, he stressed the importance of continuing financial support to all the constituent authorities of TfN.
2.13 Mayor Coppard echoed those points and pointed out that SYMCA is one of the largest areas not to have received any BSIP funding yet. He welcomed how the Government has now engaged with him and put on record how much he appreciated it and his hope that that engagement will continue.
2.14 Cllr Mitchell supported the points made regarding the importance of maintaining the £2 fare cap.
2.15 Cllr Hughes thanked Mr Bailey for an interesting introduction. He asked whether there has been any further progress with the ‘Restoring your Railway’ projects following recent announcements.
2.16 Mr Bailey acknowledged the points made about having certainty and clarity on funding for buses. He reiterated his earlier comment that conversations are continuing and that authorities would need to wait until after the Budget for confirmation.