Agenda item

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2024: to include the Chief Executive update on matters arising.

Lead: Chair

4.1          The minutes of the meeting of the Transport for the North Board held on 20 March 2024 were considered.

4.2          The Chief Executive commented that a long time had passed since the last meeting and drew attention to his summary report and the latest Quarterly Operating Report which had been included with the agenda. He reflected on the need to keep the previously agreed milestones under review following the General Election to reflect the Government’s priorities Looking forward he flagged the multi-year spending review, National Highways upcoming Road Investment Strategy (RIS) and investment in the North’s rail system as areas that the Board may want to consider putting forward priorities for consideration. He noted how delivering the A66 scheme remained a key priority for the North. He advised the meeting that TfN would seek to ensure future Board meetings are held around the TfN region, with opportunities in the North East/Darlington, and potentially South Yorkshire/Sheffield already being explored.

4.3          Cllr Mundry drew attention to the Government’s agenda and in particular the importance of enabling economic growth. He emphasised the importance of investing in improved connectivity of rail and the key role which TfN plays in making the case for the North.

4.4          Cllr Hughes drew attention to paragraph 3.3 of the minutes and reminded the meeting of the pledge which the previous government had given to the electrification of Midland Main Line. He commented that it would also make sense for this to be done between the North-West and Sheffield, and he hoped that TfN would support this.

4.5          The Chief Executive responded that the Chair and Mayor Coppard had written to the SoS in support of electrification of the Midland Main Line.  He went on to note that the recent Rail North Committee had welcomed the State of Play overview that had been prepared by the TfN executive.  This pulled together – for the first time – what is known in terms of infrastructure investment, rolling stock investment and timetable changes thereby affording the RNC with an understanding of where the tensions and opportunities for the North’s rail system lie. He continued noting that the NPR co-sponsorship role was due for review, and confirmed that a report will be brought to Board in due course.

4.6          Mayor Rotheram commented that the June Board meeting which was cancelled would have been held in Liverpool and would have been the first in that city since the inaugural meeting of TfN. With that in mind, he re-extended the invitation, highlighting that the area has a vision for public transport, its own publicly operated trains, an accessible use of battery technology integrated with buses, the best concessionary fares in country, and a new ferry planned. He added that with determination it is possible to build a London-style transport system.

4.7          The Chair welcomed the invitation from Mayor Rotheram adding that he holding Board meetings across the North would present the opportunity for Members to see transport projects in parts of the north.

4.8          The Deputy Chief Executive confirmed that it was planned for a Board meeting to be held in Liverpool in June 2025.

Resolved:

1)   That the minutes of the Transport for the North Board held on 20 March 2024 be approved as a correct record.

2)   That the Matters Arising update and the Quarterly Operating Report be noted.