Agenda item

A discussion took place in regards to the Committee’s response to the Regional Transport Plan (RTP) guidance, which had recently been issued by Welsh Government.

It was explained that this work stemmed from the duties that were placed on Corporate Joint Committees to develop and produce a RTP. Members were informed that Welsh Government had issued the latest version of the draft Regional Transport Guidance, in which Officers were required to review and then provide feedback to Welsh Government. It was confirmed that Transport Officers had completed their review of the guidance, in order to advise the Corporate Joint Committee, and had summarised the key findings within the circulated report.

The Committee were informed that Officers had a number of concerns in regards to timescales, duties and resources; the following points were highlighted:

·        In regards to resources, developing this work stream would be a significant piece of work. A lot of the work will be handed out to the already stretched existing resources in each of the Local Authorities;

·        It was acknowledged that there was a need for a programme manager to be appointed. The job description had been developed, and the next stage would be to advertise the job;

·        The timescales for the development of the RTP were extremely ambitious. It would require a lot of study work to be carried out, and it would be very challenging in terms of the detail that was required;

·        In terms of the policy framework, there were concerns over the ‘top down’ approach, and the latitude to develop a transport plan that was fit for purpose for the region. A lot of the policy framework had a strong focus on sustainability, however there also needed to be a focus on the economy, with transport being a key enabler for how to develop and improve the economy.

·        There had been some suggestion that a Burn’s Commission type of arrangement would be involved in developing the RTP. This was a concern as the duty for producing the RTP rested with the Corporate Joint Committee; having an additional layer of bureaucracy would not be supported, and would take away from the democratic responsibilities of the Local Authorities which form the Corporate Joint Committees;

·        There were concerns with the amount of data analysis work associated with the development of the RTP. Although there was mention of Transport for Wales supporting this work, there was no clarity as to how much support they will be able to provide, and whether there was going to be funding for that to develop. In addition to these concerns, Transport for Wales had limited resources, and there was a requirement for RTP’s to be developed across all four regions, which may cause issues when trying to obtain support from Transport for Wales;

·        There were also concerns in regards to the level of resource that was going to be allocated to developing projects and programmes that would come from the RTP. When the plans were developed initially in 2010, there was a very clear message to be ambitious in terms of transport interventions; however, when the programme was developed there was significant reduction in the amount of funding which was available. This left Officers with extremely ambitious programme of projects but very little funding to be able to deliver.

Members reiterated the concerns raised by Officers, and highlighted the importance of raising these with Welsh Government; particularly in regards to the finances, timescales, lack of resources and the issues that may arise in relation to the consultancy work. The Committee expressed that transport schemes must be aspirational and ambitious, but they also had to be realistic in order for action to take place and to progress this work.

RESOLVED:

·        That members note the duties and requirements from a transport perspective;

·        That members endorse the approach being taken to respond to the requirements and duties, and approve the response to the draft Regional Transport Plan (RTP) guidance;

·        That Welsh Government be pressed for additional funding to facilitate the development of the Regional Transport Plan (RTP) guidance.