Agenda item

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 this item which looked backwards in terms of the process:

The Overview and Scrutiny Board expresses its disappointment at the lack of engagement with ward councillors who were prevented from onward consultation with their communities. It believes that this democratic deficit significantly increased the concern and confusion which inevitably followed among the public.

In addition the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board advised that the following amendment to the recommendation (underlined) was raised in respect of this item looking forwards to the future:

That Cabinet:-

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

2) subject to a successful application for Emergency Active Travel Fund Tranche 2 approves the delegation of decision making regarding theprogression 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

The Leader thanked the Board for their recommendations and in relation to the consultation aspect the Portfolio Holder advised that he had written to all Councillors the day after the government announcement of the scheme on the 9 May asking if Councillors could identify any areas within their ward which would benefit from the scheme, and that in addition as soon as draft drawings were available these had been shared with ward councillors.

Councillor Haines addressed the Cabinet as Ward Councillor particularly in relation to the Evening Hill scheme expressing concern that the scheme hadn’t considered all user groups, and that the lack of access by vehicles to Evening Hill now means that some people are now unable to access the area.

A number of Cabinet Members spoke stressing the time constraints in relation to Tranche 1 and of the greater consultation opportunities with Tranche 2 with the governments more relaxed timescales which would afford the time for formal consultation. In addition Members highlighted that whilst there had been criticism locally with regards to some of the schemes that residents had also been in contact praising some of the changes. 

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