Issue - meetings

Update on progress of Tranche 1 Emergency Active Travel Fund Programme schemes and retrospective approval of the indicative schedule of schemes in the Tranche 2 application to the fund.  This programme aims to introduce at pace temporary and experimental active travel measures that subject to successful trials could be made permanent to lock in the potential active travel benefits (shift to active travel by the public) as result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)          note the excellent progress to date regarding the delivery of the Tranche 1 Emergency Active Travel Fund Programme; and

(b)          subject to a successful application for Emergency Active Travel Fund Tranche 2 bid approves the delegation of decision making regarding the progression of the indicative Tranche 2 Emergency Active Travel Fund Programme to the Director of Growth & Infrastructure in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure and following consultation between the Portfolio Holder and ward councillors and adjacent ward councillors at the earliest possible opportunity.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Transport and Infrastructure

Reason

To enable expedient delivery of the indicative programme in the event that the Tranche 2 application is successful.

The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet were updated on the progress of Tranche 1 Emergency Active Travel Fund Programme schemes and were requested to approve the delegation of decision making regarding the progression of the indicative Tranche 2 Emergency Active Travel Fund Programme to the Director of Growth and Infrastructure in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure subject to the application for Emergency Active Travel Fund Tranche 2 being successful.

In relation to this Members were advised that the programme aimed to introduce at pace temporary and experimental active travel measures that subject to trials could be made permanent to lock in the potential active travel benefits (shift to active travel by the public) as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder advised that whilst the recommendations as set out in the report were accurate as they do not seek any retrospective approvals, that Cabinet should note for clarity that there was a drafting error within the executive summary of the report which talked about Cabinet confirming retrospective approval for the submission. In relation to this the Cabinet were advised that they were not being asked to confirm retrospective approval for the submission, and that the submission had been put in and had been signed off by the Finance Officer for the Council and so this reference was incorrect. The Portfolio Holder advised however that recommendations were however correctly worded.

The Portfolio Holder advised that the government scheme had been implemented to try and address changes to the way in which people were using public transport in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, and to encourage and support people to be able to walk and cycle safely. In addition the Portfolio Holder advised that the government scheme had tight timescales with schemes having to be implemented within 12 weeks and as such this had prevented consultation, however the Portfolio Holder stressed that these schemes would be reviewed and the measures in place were temporary and removable. In addition Cabinet were advised that some schemes had been withdrawn as the schemes which had been identified when in full lockdown would no longer have the benefit as lockdown has become more relaxed. Further to this Members were advised that the government had changed the requirements in relation to Tranche 2, and that the timescales were no longer as restrictive and enabled greater and fuller consultation to take place should the application for Tranche 2 funding be successful.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed Cabinet stressing the frustration by the Board that ward councillors weren’t properly consulted, and advising that at their recent meeting the Board had had a long and robust discussion in relation to this item and had resolved to make the following recommendation to Cabinet in respect of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 224

To consider the following transport and infrastructure related reports scheduled for Cabinet consideration on: 9 September 2020

-       Emergency Active Travel Fund Programme

The O&S Board is asked to scrutinise the reports and make recommendations to Cabinet as appropriate.

Cabinet member invited to attend for this item: Councillor Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure.

The Cabinet report is attached to this agenda for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

The Board noted the significant number of public statements submitted in respect of this item. The Chairman informed the Board that he had agreed to a number of requests to read the statements at the meeting although only one speaker was now able to join the meeting. The Board accordingly heard the statement from Mr. J Challinor presented in his capacity as Chair of the Parkstone Bay Association. All the submitted statements had been made available to the Board ahead of the meeting.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Hadley, presented the report for scrutiny by the Board prior to its consideration by Cabinet on 9 September 2020. He described the context in which progress had been made under tranche 1 of the Emergency Active Travel Fund Programme and referred to a schedule of schemes in tranche 2. He explained that the aim of the programme was to introduce, at pace, and in response to the pandemic, temporary and experimental active travel measures which also had the potential to become permanent subject to successful trials.

The Board recognised the beneficial work already undertaken as the BCP Council responded to changing travel patterns and the Board recorded its appreciation of the work already undertaken by Council Officers within the Growth and Infrastructure teams particularly in respect of the success that had been achieved in taking full advantage, within very short timescales, of funding available from Central Government.

Comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Board focussed upon the nature of the Central Government Programme and the view of the Board was that communications about the programme, and particularly about the initial temporary nature of specific schemes, could have been improved.

Members were of the view that local ward councillors should have been consulted earlier on in the process of identifying specific local elements of the programme. This would have created the capacity for ward members to consult openly with local residents; to take a balanced approach within the community and to gather information from residents and from interested groups.

Board members highlighted examples where there had been lack of consultation with local services, such as schools and with local organisations that would have been affected, which had led to insufficient assessment of individual schemes in terms of their impact on particular localities. Failure to communicate in a manner that was accessible to local people was also considered to have contributed to the receipt of considerable negative feedback.

Members were also concerned that information they had received had been provided to them on a privileged basis which they were unable to release publicly. This was considered to be despite the fact that there was time available within the overall programme timetable for a much wider and comprehensive consultation. Members therefore described how they looked forward to increased levels of information going forward supported by improved communications with the public and more open dialogue with ward members. It was considered that this could facilitate achievement of higher quality schemes within the spirit of the overall programme.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32