Agenda item - Transport for The South East

Report of the Executive Director Economy Environment & Culture (copy attached)

RESOLVED: That the Committee –

(i)            Welcomed the draft proposal to establish a Sub-national Transport Body for the South East, to be known as Transport for the South East (TfSE);

(ii)          Agreed that the detailed points set out in paragraph 6 of the report form the basis of the council’s response to the Transport for the South East (TfSE) consultation document, and authorised the Chief Executive to submit the response on behalf of the council.

11.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Economy Environment & Culture regarding the Transport for the South East (TfSE) Shadow Partnership Board’s proposal to Government for statutory status for (TfSE).

11.2    Councillor Mac Cafferty referred to bus services in the city and said that currently there was a local focus on good bus services in the City, and said that Brighton & Hove Bus Company were nervous of the role that TfSE may have in commissioning bus services and how that would impact on their service. The Assistant Director City Transport said that the Board had discussed bus routes, in particular cross border working that would allow more efficient pooling of resources to look at gaps across geographical boundaries which would help support communities in more rural areas. He advised the Committee that the Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Bus Company was a Board member.

11.3    Councillor Clare asked why Rail Franchises weren’t on the Board, and was advised the Network Rail were and they had influence over the franchisees.

11.4    RESOLVED: That the Committee –

(i)            Welcomed the draft proposal to establish a Sub-national Transport Body for the South East, to be known as Transport for the South East (TfSE);

(ii)          Agreed that the detailed points set out in paragraph 6 of the report form the basis of the council’s response to the Transport for the South East (TfSE) consultation document, and authorised the Chief Executive to submit the response on behalf of the council.