Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest received.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 23 January 2024 were approved as an accurate record.

The Corporate Joint Committee Forward Work Programme was noted.

Members were provided with the Case for Change, which formed part of the process of developing the Regional Transport Plan (RTP).

Officers explained that the Case for Change was the next required stage in progressing the RTP; this was following on from the previous stage of producing the Implementation Plan. It was stated that the Case for Change was a document which set out the regions current position and why change was required; throughout the document, Officers had given consideration to a number of factors, such as the economy and environmental issues.

In regards to why change was needed, it was noted that the Welsh Government policy was a significant driver; however, there was also a clear imperative for the transport network to evolve. It was mentioned that these drivers for change were set out in the circulated report.

The Committee were informed that the document also set out how Officers will engage with stakeholders and conduct public consultation on the final RTP; as well as detail in regards to the integrated impact assessment process, which follows on from the various consultation exercises.

In terms of next steps, it was confirmed that the Case for Change would need to be submitted to Welsh Government by the end of February 2024; Officers will then continue the process of developing the RTP, with the current timescale for completion by spring 2025. The challenging timescales associated with the development of the RTP was highlighted.

A discussion took place in regards to the confirmed funding that will be provided by Welsh Government; £125k for the current year, and £100k for next year. It was mentioned that there will be a need for additional funding to facilitate the number of work streams and consultation work.

Officers stated that Transport for Wales had identified specific resource to help with the development of the RTP; in addition to that they've started to develop useful modelling information, which will assist with the evidence base and testing interventions for developing the programmes.

Another concern raised by Officers was in regards to the difficulty in working up a capital programme, as the information to do this will be based on the Plan information. Officers mentioned that Welsh Government were aware of this challenge.

The Committee expressed the need to develop a sustainable public transport system, considering the rural areas as well as those which were greatly populated; and the need to think innovatively in terms of addressing the transport issues that the Region currently faces.

Members asked to be provided with further explanation in regards to the delivery and prioritisation of objectives; it was acknowledged that it will be difficult to deliver on all of the objectives due to funding and resourcing issues.

It was intended that as Officers progressed through the stages, there will be a very well developed programme of work; making sure to target each of the interventions. It was mentioned that the transport hierarchy was clear in that sustainable transport was a priority, such as walking,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Committee received a report seeking to appoint a Deputy Chief Executive to the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee.

It was explained that this appointment would ensure additional resilience in the absence of a particular Chief Executive, for any fixed period of time; the Chief Executives from the constituent authorities of Neath Port Talbot, Swansea and Carmarthenshire would then be capable of exercising the powers in the long term absence of a Chief Executive.

It had previously been agreed that the Chief Executive role will rotate; Officers confirmed that the Deputy Chief Executive roles would rotate to correspond with that going forward. In addition, it was noted that the role will not be remunerated; therefore there were no financial impacts.

RESOLVED:

That the role of Deputy Chief Executives be created to the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee; and the Chief Executives of Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot be appointed as Deputy Chief Executives, and be authorised to act as Chief Executive of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee in the absence of the identified Chief Executive.

Any urgent items at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Section 100BA(6)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

There were no urgent items received.