Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hince, Hindle, Ibrahim, Iqbal and Williamson (Councillors J. Hussain and Surjan attended the meeting as substitutes for Councillors Ibrahim and Iqbal respectively).

There were no public questions for the meeting to consider.

The Minutes of the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board held on 31 August 2023 and 26 September 2023 are attached for approval.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meetings of the Place, Economic Growth and Enviroment Scrutiny Board  held 31^st August 2023 and 26^th September 2023 be approved as correct records.

To consider a report which provides an overview to Scrutiny Members of the work areas of the Strategic Transport Team, including how these fit into the GM picture and progress and delivery against Oldham’s Transport Strategy aims.

The Scrutiny Board received a report of the Director of Economy that provided an overview for Members of the work areas of the Strategic Transport Team, including how these fit into the Greater Manchester (GM) picture and progress and delivery against Oldham’s Transport Strategy aims. Areas to be covered included:

•         GM Local Transport Plan (LTP)

•         The Bee Network

•         Bus Franchising

•         Oldham Transport Strategy – Progress & Delivery

–        Schools Active Travel Infrastructure Audit

–        Transport studies around large development sites (PfE)

–        Development of a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)

–        City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS)

–        School Streets

–        Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI)

–        Creating a Better Place

–        Oldham Bee Network Committee

–        Network Reviews

–        Activation and Communication / Engagement

The Local Transport Plan (LTP) was a statutory document setting out long-term ambitions for transport.GM’s current LTP is the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 (GMTS 2040), adopted in 2017 with a light refresh in 2021.

The LTP guides future investment and strategic policy decisions for transport across GM, demonstrating a clear rationale for intervention, high-level government funding and local investment for transport. All local and combined authorities need an up to date, LTP. GM were awaiting new LTP guidance to be issued by the Department for Transport (DfT). However, work to update the current LTP had already begun.  GM2040 was highly regarded by the DfT, hence the intention to refresh rather than to fully revise the document.

Members were advised transport issues had significantly moved on and new policy areas had been identified since 2021, as well as wider factors such as inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.These issues and new policy areas would be a priority for consideration in the review and included: The Bee Network; Bus Franchising; Trailblazer deal with Government; Covid-19 Pandemic (impact and recovery from); Places for Everyone (PfE) and Growth Locations; and New funding models for transport.

TfGM were to coordinate work on the LTP on behalf of local authorities, GMCA and the Mayor of greater Manchester. GM local authorities were to be partners in the production of the refreshed LTP primarily through Transport Strategy Group (TSG) officers.  TSG officers would be responsible for supporting engagement/consultation in their districts, briefing members, senior officers and BNC members to get local feedback and ensure ‘buy-in’ to the refreshed LTP vision, aspirations and policies that will eventually apply across GM.

Before the launch of bus franchising TfGM had developed the GM Bus Strategy. This set out a vision for the future bus network: to make the bus the first choice for more journeys. It established the ambition for a 30% increase in bus patronage by 2030 from 2022/23 levels This growth would be driven by improvements, including affordable fares, a more integrated, user-friendly and frequent network, and better infrastructure to provide more reliable bus journeys. This requires additional investment and the careful prioritisation of existing resources.

In addition, a rolling programme of area-based  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To discuss the 2023-24 Work Programme.

The Committee considered its Work Programme for 2023/24.

Resolved:

That the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board’s Work Programme 2023/24, be noted.

The Committee considered the Key Decision Document, which records key decisions that the authority is due to take.

Resolved:
That the Key Decsion Document be noted.

To consider any rule 13 or 14 decisions since the previous meeting.

The Chair reported that there was nothing to report under this heading.