Agenda item - Local Transport Plan

Report of the Executive Director Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

1.            That the Committee endorses the framework and principles established for the new Local Transport Plan, as attached in Appendix 2.

2.            That the Committee agrees that a draft, revised document is submitted to Policy & Resources Committee in March 2015 prior to the final document being considered and approved by Full Council in March 2015.

73.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment, Development & Housing that outlined the public engagement and discussion that had taken place to assist in developing the draft Local Transport Plan, and included the proposed framework and content of the final document. Local highway authorities had a statutory requirement to produce a Local Transport Plan [LTP].  The report outlined how the council planned to manage and deliver transport in the future and, in doing so, where it intended to invest available funding, including the grant funding it receives from the government in the Local Transport Capital Settlement. A further report seeking endorsement would be submitted to the Policy & Resources Committee and approval sought at Full Council in March 2015.

73.2      Councillor Mitchell thanked the report author and his team for their hard work. Councillor Mitchell noted that the report was clear that the government contribution to local transport was significantly reduced this year and that new projects were unlikely to be started. Councillor Mitchell noted that councils were expected to contribute toward Local Growth Fund schemes and asked how this significant reduction would impact upon a co-ordinated schemes, in particular the £4m required for the Valley Gardens project, against demands for local maintenance and safety improvements. Furthermore, Councillor Mitchell asked what works would be required to complete work at Brighton Station and 20mph programme noted in the appendices and her disappointment that no reference was made to the improvements needed at the North Street Clock Tower junction.

73.3      The Head of Transport Strategy & Projects stated that he understood the LTP contribution toward the Valley Gardens project would be £1m not £4m and that Phases 1 and 2 were planned to be programmed across three financial years and the authority would have determination on how to profile that contribution. The Head of Transport Strategy & Projects clarified that whilst the report did not have significant detail at this stage, improvements to the Clock Tower junction would form part of the scheme referenced in the report as ‘Gateway to the Sea’ covering Queens Road and West Street combined.

73.4      The Head of Transport clarified that the final works to the Station Gateway project were toward the southern end and forecourt area outside Brighton Station that were currently covered in the current allocation and any contribution for Phase 3 of the 20mph programme would be relatively minimal from the LTP 4 allocation.

73.5      Councillor Janio asked if there had been an increase in LTP funding in recent years that was now returning to normal levels.

73.6      The Head of Transport Strategy & Projects clarified that whilst he didn’t have the specific details to hand, LTP funding had increased recently to a peak for the 2014/15 financial year.

73.7      Councillor Robins noted that the report noted investment in electric vehicle charging points and asked how popular the current points were.

73.8      The Head of Transport clarified that electric charging points had grown dramatically from very few up to 50-60 currently following a successful Civitas project and a report would be forthcoming to committee to discuss whether the current provision could be expanded.

73.9      Councillor Davey that the projects endorsed by the Committee over the past four years was a credit to its Members past and current. Councillor Davey stated the report was very important as it would form the basis of funding proposals and applications in the future. Councillor Davey added that it was clear that the authority would increasingly be competing with others for funding in the future and the report made the case to challenge for that funding. Councillor Davey added that Valley Gardens was a huge public realm scheme and he was delighted that after many years pursuing funding, the council was now very close to securing nearly £14 million and he felt it was negligent to refuse that funding and may compromise the authority’s credibility.

73.10   Councillor Janio welcomed the report but expressed his belief that there could have been a clearer view on methods to keep transport moving, without delays and coherently. Councillor Janio added that he shared Councillor Davey’s observation that to refuse funding for Valley Gardens would be wrong. Councillor Janio stated that the possible £14 million funding would bring significant growth benefits to the city and dramatically improve the area. Councillor Janio urged the Labour & Co-operative Group to support the project, to no longer abstain from attending the Valley Gardens Project Board and have an input into the future of the city. 

73.11   Councillor Mitchell clarified that the Labour & Co-operative Group had previously not supported proposals for Valley Gardens as they felt the scheme in that form was misguided and that the Seafront Arches were a higher priority. Councillor Mitchell added that it was entirely responsible, given the funding constraints on the authority, to question how the scheme could be progressed in a cohesive way.

73.12   Councillor Deane stated that the public health benefits noted in the report could not be understated and she welcomed the progress made to that end.

73.13   Councillor Cox stated that his principal regret having been a member of the Committee the past three years was that Members had not persevered in moving the taxi rank in the Brighton Station Gateway Scheme that would have resulted in considerable benefit in his view. Councillor Cox stated that whilst he agreed the Labour & Co-operative Party’s scrutiny of the Valley Gardens project, he could not understand their boycott of the schemes Project Board and publically urged the Group to attend the meetings.

73.14   Councillor Mitchell stated that she did not understand why Councillor Robins name was listed in the minutes of the Project Board as he was not a member. Councillor Mitchell added that she was disappointed officers were producing minutes along those lines and formally requested that Councillor Robins name was removed in future as his name should not appear.

73.15   RESOLVED-

1.            That the Committee endorses the framework and principles established for the new Local Transport Plan, as attached in Appendix 2.

2.            That the Committee agrees that a draft, revised document is submitted to Policy & Resources Committee in March 2015 prior to the final document being considered and approved by Full Council in March 2015.