Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from those Members who are unable to attend the meeting.

All Panel members were in attendance.

To approve the minutes of the meetings of the panel held on 10^th October 2023 and 20^th November 2023.

That the minutes of the Panel meeting held on the 10^th October 2023 and the 20^th November 2023 were approved as a correct record.

The Councillors will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have disclosable pecuniary interests, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items, or any other interests.

Cllr Lee Richards, declared an ‘other’ interest.

Most debates take place in public. This only changes when there is a need to consider certain issues, for instance, commercially sensitive information or details concerning an individual. You will be told at this point whether there are any items on the Agenda which are to be discussed in private.

All agenda items were considered in public session.

The Panel will receive any petitions and/or deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting.

No deputations or petitions were received.

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

In accordance with Council Procedure rule 11, Mr Chas Ball, Secretary from Kirklees Cycling Campaign attended the meeting and asked a number of questions.

Responses to the questions were provided by the Service Director for Skills and Regeneration.

The Panel asked to note the current status of the development of the Kirklees Transport Strategy.

Contact: Rashid Mahmood, Head of Major Projects (interim)01484 221000

Cllr Moses Crook, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Transport and Highways, introduced the Transport Strategy, advising the Panel that the report being presented will provide an update on the development of the Kirklees Transport Strategy including priorities, work undertaken to date and areas still being developed.

In line with the request from Scrutiny, it is important to note that since this strategy is still in development, there is an opportunity for Panel members to offer suggestions and input which will influence the ongoing development process. The Kirklees Transport Strategy will compliment and align with both the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and National Strategies, to ensure that common themes will be implemented to best promote Kirklees priorities and interests.

It will be an inclusive strategy with public transport and Active Travel as central themes alongside a renewed commitment to the 2038 net zero ambition, which is essential as transport is the largest contributor to UK emissions. The strategy will promote choice and appropriate modes of choice for appropriate journeys. While it is pro-sustainable transport, this does not translate to be an anti-car strategy. By increasing accessibility to lower carbon transport modes along with education and incentives it is possible to make sustainable transport an obvious and easy choice, promoting adoption without being prohibitive to car travel.

The strategy and its content ahead of full adoption, will inform current and future projects, improve and enhance inclusion and contribute to both economic growth and meet the 2038 commitment.

Rashid Mahmood, Head of Major Projects (interim) informed the Panel that the report sets out the position and the vision of the Kirklees Transport Strategy.  In addition, the report outlines the importance of the alignment between the Council’s emerging Local Development Plan and the emerging West Yorkshire local Transport Plan.

The Panel was advised that the Strategy is currently in development and the aim is to serve some of the following purposes:

-        To assist with delivery of the core Council priorities including achieving our ambitious net zero objectives by 2038

-        To provide the adopted Council position on transport policy and the development of local transport schemes and initiatives

-        Support the Council with the implementation of transport schemes and measures through clear policy and direction

-        Provide both evidence and clear policy objectives and actions to assist with the Kirklees Local Development Plan Review and support future land use planning allocations with Kirklees

-        To both feed into and support the emerging statutory West Yorkshire LTP4 which is anticipated to be developed in 2024/25. LTP4 is being developed and will be drafted this year (2024) and published in 2025

The Panel was informed that the vision for the Transport Strategy includes matters such as the dominance of the private car, the alignment with fully integrated Active Travel links, and it must be fully supported by a first class reliable and affordable public transport system. It is important that there is improved connectivity, and that access is easy and accessible across the district.

In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Panel are asked to note and comment on the current transport capital programme.

Contact: Rashid Mahmood, Head of Major Projects (interim) 01484 22 1000

Cllr Moses Crook, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Transport and Highways, introduced the Major Projects Transport Programme update, advising the Panel that the report being presented is in response to a request from Scrutiny for an update on various aspects of the transport programme.

The report includes an update on the delivery of current and future programmes, details around the TransPennine Route Upgrade, and outlines how they link up with the Transport Strategy. Furthermore, it introduces and sets out the various transport schemes that are underway and in development, as well as schemes that are currently paused at various stages, due to inflation and broader economic factors.

The report details how the Transport Strategy will inform projects and the priorities within each project. It also contains details on the work being undertaken to ensure that the TransPennine Route Upgrade scheme delivers maximum benefit for Kirklees, including providing links into communities, and supporting mode shift and inclusive economic growth.

The Panel was informed that whilst current economic conditions and inflationary pressures have resulted in several capital programs within Kirklees being paused at various stages, the inclusion of forward-looking projects, in a pipeline of projects ready for funding, gives a head start when bidding into future funding streams.  Work put into these schemes is not wasted or lost in this pipeline approach, as has recently been demonstrated by success in being allocated funding from the Levelling-Up Fund, round three, for the Penistone Line Upgrade. This success demonstrates that the transport scheme development strategy and programme is fit for purpose.

Rashid Mahmood, Head of Major Projects (interim) informed the Panel that the appended report gives a brief outline of the transport schemes, what has been done to date, key milestones, and some information on the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU). The report also contains two appendices, Appendix 1, covers the projects in detail, showing the programmes in accordance with the funding streams, and Appendix 2 gives visuals of the TransPennine Route Upgrade.

The Panel was informed that there are a number of funding streams that support the Transport Plan Capital Programme:

1.   The West Yorkshire Transport Fund – established in 2014 with £1bn funding to focus on a number of issues relating to the strategic transport movements of traffic within the district. Key development areas include orbital routes, route corridor improvements for better public transport options, road and rail improvement between district hubs to provide capacity and better connectivity, and enhancing railway station gateways for example, better access.

2.   City Regional Sustainable Transport Fund (CRSTS) – set up to make transformational changes in local transport networks. The programme will fund transport improvements including walking and cycling infrastructure and will enable more people to access public transport and promote walking and cycling in line with local and regional strategies. It was a five year programme, which started in 2022 and will run until 2027. There are discussions ongoing about CRSTS 2, to develop beyond 2027.

3.   Transforming Cities Fund (TCF)  –  forms part of the CRSTS,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The panel will consider its work programme and Forward Plan of Key Decision items relating to Growth and Regeneration.

Contact: Jenny Bryce-Chan – Principal Governance Officer

                 Claire Gardiner – Democracy Officer

RESOLVED

That holding meetings in different venues would be further explored.