To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the South East Midlands Local Transport Board held on 21 June 2013.  Please note that Appendix A to the minutes has not been reproduced with the Agenda, but will form part of the minutes signed by the Chairman.  A copy of the full set of minutes can be found at http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=837&MId=4511&Ver=4.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2013 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

None were declared.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman and any matters of communication.

No announcements were made.

Members of the public or other organisations will be allowed to present their case on specific Agenda items.  A total of 15 minutes for these presentations will be allowed at the start of each Local Transport Board meeting.

No requests were received.

To receive an update on the Local Framework.

The Board considered a report that updated Members on the Department for Transport’s (DfT) response to the Local Framework.  The DfT wrote to the Board on 28 June approving the governance section (Part 1) of the Local Framework, subject to this section being amended to include a number of changes as set out in the report.

In relation to Part 2 of the Framework, the DfT had confirmed that the prioritisation process was acceptable to them. 

Part 3 of the Framework still needed further consideration and proposed amendments were tabled at the meeting that addressed some of the DfT’s comments.  The DfT had advised that they would liaise with the Board over the coming months to ensure that the Framework was acceptable to them as their scheme assessment and decision making, particularly on Value for Money was very complex and that the DfT would be issuing further guidance on key elements.  Officers therefore proposed a fourth recommendation to delegate approval of further minor amendments of Part 3 to the Working Group.

RESOLVED

1.      That amendments be approved to:

a.            the purpose, governance structure and operating principles (Part 1) of the Local Framework, taking account of the comments received from the DfT as set out in the report, and agree to the preparation of a formal Memorandum of Understanding based on this;

b.           the prioritisation section (Part 2) of the Local Framework to ensure consistency with the prioritisation process adopted by JMP, as detailed in the report;

c.            the programme management and investment decision section (Part 3) of the Local Framework, taking account of the comments received from the DfT as set out in the report and circulated at the meeting.  It was noted that this section was unlikely to be signed off until the further DfT guidance on key elements of this process was complete; and

2.      That the Board delegates approval of any further minor amendments of Part 3 to the Working Group.

To update the Board on the final list of prioritised schemes to be funded in part through the South East Midlands Local Transport Board funding allocation.   Please note that Appendix A is to follow.

The Board was advised about the correspondence received from the Department for Transport (DfT) with regard to the LTB funding allocation for local major transport projects from within the single Local Growth Fund.  The DfT had confirmed that the funding for the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) area between 2015/16 and 2018/19 through the Local Growth Fund was £14.7m which was a third less than the indicative allocation announced by the DfT in January 2013. 

SEMLEP would be able to bid for further funding through their Strategic Economic Plan.  This would mean that SEMLEP would need to work very closely with the South East Midlands Local Transport Board (SEMLTB).  It was noted that the area covered by the SEMLEP did not align with the same area that the SEMLTB covered.  DfT had confirmed that funding would be awarded to SEMLEP on the same geographical basis as used for the indicative allocations, rather than attempting to make any adjustment to reflect the geographical differences.

The Board considered Appendix A to the report and the JMP presentation that updated Members on the prioritisation of the transport schemes.  A revised map that showed the proposed schemes was tabled at the meeting.  JMP and Officers had collated further information on the shortlisted schemes since the last Board meeting on 21 June 2013.  JMP whilst drawing up the proposed final list of schemes had taken account of both Value for Money and deliverability.  Members noted that the three schemes in their report was £1m short of the £14.7M allocation and proposed two options; the Board could either increase the local contribution on some or all of these schemes or partly fund a fourth scheme.  There was discussion about these options and it was agreed to allocate the £1m for the preparation work for the A421 dualling and associated roundabouts.

There was an overall agreement that the recommended final transport schemes to be part funded through the LTB funding allocation were:

·        Woodside Link (£10m)

·        Bedford Western Bypass (£2.5m)

·        London Luton Airport surface access (£1.2m)

·        A421 dualling and associated roundabouts (£1m)

It was also agreed that the following additional schemes should also be recommended to the SEMLEP as a high priority to be included in the Strategic Economic Plan to enable them to bid for further funding:

• A421 dualling and associated roundabouts
• Bletchley Public Transport Interchange
• Central Milton Keynes Public Transport Interchange
• Milton Keynes Park and Ride
• Northern entrance to Luton Airport Parkway.

It was noted that the Highways Agency would be assessing and implementing schemes in relation to Trunk Roads and the M1 (from Junctions 13 – 19) that would also contribute to the improvement of the highway network in the LTB area.  It was also noted that Network Rails Plans to implement the western section of East West Rail between 2014-2019 would also improve the public transport network, and contribute to improved interchange at Bletchley.

RESOLVED

1.      that the final list of strategic transport schemes to be funded in part through the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.