Agenda and minutes

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Venue: Committee Room 'D' - The Henry Bolingbroke Room, County Hall, Preston. View directions

Contact: Andy Milroy  Tel: 01772 530354 Email:  andy.milroy@lancashire.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome and Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

The Chair, County Councillor Jennifer Mein welcomed all to the meeting.  Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Phil Riley (Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council) and Graham Cowley (LEP Chair nominee). The Chair of the LEP, Edwin Booth, attended in place of Graham Cowley.

2.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

None

3.

Minutes of the meeting held on 13th April 2015 pdf icon PDF 57 KB

Minutes:

Resolved:  That the minutes of the last meeting held on 13th April 2015 be approved and signed by the Chair.

4.

Matters Arising

Minutes:

None

5.

East Lancashire Strategic Cycle Network Scheme Funding Approval Application pdf icon PDF 222 KB

Minutes:

Dave Colbert, Specialist Advisor Transportation, Lancashire County Council presented a report (circulated) regarding the East Lancashire Strategic Cycle Network Scheme funding application approval.

 

It was highlighted that Atkins (external consultants that assessed the application) were now satisfied that the business case met the expected standard.

 

It was noted that the Economic Case demonstrates that the combined package will provide high value for money with a benefit to cost ratio of 2.79 and also generate a potential £55k Gross Value Added (GVA) uplift per annum.

 

In addition it was noted that the following actions need to be addressed in a timely manner to ensure the scheme is delivered to programme over the next 4?years, as each has the potential to impact on the scope and deliverability

of the scheme:

 

·  progress all planning permissions and any compulsory purchase orders;

·  complete the detailed scheme design and costs estimates for all scheme sections; and

·  carry out a quantified assessment of each risk element.

 

Resolved:  That the East Lancashire Strategic Cycle Network Scheme funding application be endorsed and recommended for approval by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board at its next meeting.

6.

Lancashire Strategic Transport Prospectus pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Dave Colbert presented an update report (circulated) regarding the Lancashire Strategic Transport Prospectus. 

 

It was reported to the Committee that previously suggested amendments and alterations had been incorporated into the Prospectus and that the updated Prospectus was circulated for further comment, prior to submission to the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for approval.

 

The Committee asked if some of the timescales within the report could be reduced and asked that the Prospectus be reviewed to establish if shorter timescales could be included. 

 

Resolved:  The Committee noted the updated Lancashire Strategic Transport Prospectus and provided additional comments to incorporate into the final version, and, recommended its submission to the LEP Board for approval.

7.

East Lancashire Rail Connectivity Study Conditional Output Statement pdf icon PDF 110 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Dave Colbert presented a report (circulated) that provided a progress update on the East Lancashire Rail Connectivity Study and associated Conditional Output Statement.

 

It was reported that the study had concluded that significant investment is necessary in order to improve both the performance and attractiveness of East Lancashire's rail network, and that without such investment, the perception of East Lancashire as being poorly connected is likely to grow.  Moreover, current and proposed investment in the rail network elsewhere across the North of England has the potential to widen the connectivity 'gap' between East Lancashire and key economic centres such as Manchester and Leeds.

 

Failure to improve or replace existing rolling stock is likely to lead to further deterioration in the quality of the trains, potentially impacting on journey quality, capacity and performance.  This could result in existing rail passengers seeking to use alternative modes of transport, placing additional pressure on an increasingly congested highway network.

 

In addition, it was reported that the Conditional Output Statement will strengthen Lancashire's case when engaging with the Department for Transport, Rail North, the wider rail industry and adjacent transport authorities to secure improvements to East Lancashire's rail network, in particular, with regard to the next rail industry investment period covering 2019 to 2024 ('Control Period 6').

 

The Committee agreed that improving the East Lancashire Rail connectivity was a priority for Transport for Lancashire and endorsed the proposal to continue dialogue with wider partners to prioritise improvements to the network.

 

Resolved:  The Committee noted the contents of the report.

8.

Any Other Business

Minutes:

A briefing note was circulated to the Committee regarding the issue of a Combined Authority for Lancashire and implications for transport.

 

It was explained that the merits of establishing a Combined Authority for Lancashire were to be discussed at a meeting of the Lancashire Leaders' to be held on 19th June 2015, and, would also be discussed at the Lancashire Enterprise Board meeting scheduled for 16th June 2015.

 

Resolved:  The Committee noted the update regarding a Combined Authority for Lancashire.

9.

Date of Next Meeting

TBC – September 2015.

Minutes:

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on the 17th September 2015 at 2pm, in Cabinet Room 'D', County Hall, Preston.