Minutes

To: All Members of the From: Legal, Democratic & Statutory Services Environment, Planning and Ask for: Theresa Baker Transport Cabinet Panel, Chief Ext: 26545, Executive, Chief Officers, All officers named for ‘actions’

ENVIRONMENT, PLANNING AND TRANSPORT CABINET PANEL

8 DECEMBER 2015

ATTENDANCE

MEMBERS OF THE PANEL

D Andrews, D A Ashley (Chairman), D J Barnard, L A Chesterman (substituting for N Bell), M Cowan (substituting for N A Hollinghurst), L F Reefe (substituting for S J Taylor), R Sangster, R H Smith, A S B Walkington

Upon consideration of the agenda for the Environment, Planning and Transport Cabinet Panel meeting 8 December 2015 as circulated, copy annexed, conclusions were reached and are recorded below:

Note: No conflicts of interest were declared by any member of the Cabinet Panel in relation to the matters on which conclusions were reached at this meeting.

PART I (‘OPEN’) BUSINESS

CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Member Seminar on Flooding

Following a query from a Member of the Panel, the Chairman advised Members that a presentation on roles and responsibilities regarding flooding incidents was planned as part of the Scrutiny process. This was scheduled to take place on 24 March 2016 and he recommended that Members attend. The presentation would seek to explain the remit of County Council in its capacity as the Lead Local Flood Authority.

ACTION 1. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 2015 were confirmed T Baker as a correct record subject to H K Crofton being recorded as present at the meeting.

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2. PUBLIC PETITIONS

There were no public petitions.

3. GOVIA RAILWAY (GTR) FRANCHISE

[Officer Contact: Liz Drake, Strategic Rail Officer (01992 588637)]

3.1 The Cabinet Panel received a paper on the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) Franchise to provide them with background detail of the GTR franchise and Hertfordshire County Council priorities and concerns, to inform the presentation to be given to the Panel by GTR on their contract, their plans/priorities and their performance to date. Link to item 3 appendix - GTR presentation

3.2 Members heard that the Franchise, commenced in 2014, was essentially a management contract on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT). The Franchise did not retain any of the ticket revenue; this instead went to the Department of Transport. Penalties were levied on the Franchise for failing to meet targets but it could earn small bonuses by improving targets: train performance, service quality and revenue protection.

3.3 GTR confirmed it had 217 committed obligations including:  phasing of the introduction of new trains including class 700 trains (Cambridge/Bedford to Brighton; Peterborough, Gatwick and Horsham) and metro style trains ( North, Garden City and Moorgate);  Planned redevelopment of City station;  improving standards of cleanliness on stations and trains; and  reducing ticketless travel.

GTR identified their main priorities in Hertfordshire as follows:  to improve reliability;  to improve information to the public (especially at times of disruption);  to improve capacity (particularly at peak times including the Hertford Loop);  effective project delivery; and  investing in engaged and well-developed employees. . 3.4 Members heard that performance on Great Northern services was disappointing due to leaf fall issues and problems with recruiting new drivers. Thameslink showed good performance against last year and against targets, however, there had been problems due to a lack of drivers trained on the new diversionary routes which had to be used due to the closing of Bridge to cross London traffic until 2018. Members commented that these issues should have been 2 CHAIRMAN’S INITIALS

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foreseen since the closure of London Bridge had long been planned. In response GTR reported that an alliance with Network Rail was planned in order to try to ensure that their primary targets were aligned.

3.5 In terms of GTR priorities in Hertfordshire Members heard that:  As part of their Franchise bid GTR had agreed to introduce new rolling stock; 115 new trains were being built by Siemens in Germany, of which three class 700 trains were currently in the UK and on one of which overnight out of passenger service test running had commenced;  GTR had also agreed to replace the existing class 313 units on the Moorgate service;  The new trains were to be in service by September 2018;  The design of the trains had been consulted on with Hertfordshire County Council, other authorities, user groups and various other groups to meet the needs of all customers;  a new time table was coming out on 13/12/2015 and Moorgate services would then run from 5.30am to 12.00am, diverting early, late and weekend services form Kings Cross. Excellent cross platform change with London Overground at Highbury and Islington, including Crossrail from 2018, would enable further journey opportunities;  new drivers had to complete a year’s training, and once qualified maintained competency by using specified lines regularly;  GTR had inherited a driver shortage from the previous franchise and expected that their recruitment / driver training programme would resolve the shortage by April 2016;  Currently GTR were reliant on drivers working extra days to make up for driver shortages and had made timetabling changes over Christmas to minimise service cancellations;  The driver rota for the summer timetable was ongoing. Changes in working hours to a 35 hour- 4 day week had created some difficulties in driver allocation.

3.6 Members asked that consideration be given to stopping trains at GTR / stations where footfall was increasing significantly e.g. at and L Drake / . GTR advised that they would investigate the T Baker proposals and would update the Cabinet Panel with their findings.

3.7 GTR agreed to Members’ requests to travel on the new trains when GTR / they came into service. L Drake

3.8 Members discussed enhancements to St Albans station. GTR confirmed they had put in a bid for funds from the National Station Commercial Project Facility (SCPF) to fund a larger station building, enhanced retail facilities, improved shelter facilities on platforms and possibly the highway junction; the bus interchange would stay the 3 CHAIRMAN’S INITIALS

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same; funding announcements were awaited in mid-December 2015. Funds had also been sought for Improved Car Park Space Provision, e.g. for , Elstree and Borehamwood. Growth Deal Funding of £1 m had been applied for by working with the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP); the funding announcement was awaited in the New Year. Funds had also been sought from the National Stations Improvement Programme.

3.9 Members raised concerns regarding parking issues, especially on street parking when charges were high or there were too few parking spaces. GTR confirmed that they were actively encouraged to improve GTR’s funding through car parking charges and would consider these car parks on a demand and business case. It was suggested that GTR and local authorities cooperate to design a mutually complimentary parking fee structure.

Conclusion

3.10 The Cabinet Panel noted the information provided on the GTR Franchise and Hertfordshire County Council priorities and concerns.

4. ENVIRONMENT PLANNING AND TRANSPORT PERFORMANCE MONITOR

[Officer Contact: Simon Aries, Assistant Director Transport, Waste and Environmental Management (01992 556249)]

4.1 The Cabinet Panel considered a report which provided a review of the performance of Environment, Planning and Transport for the second quarter of the year (July – September 2015) including key performance indicators, major projects, contracts and identified risks.

4.2 Officers confirmed that the impact on users of the changes, made in September 2015, to the way it funded bus services, had been offset to an extent by operators continuing to operate some routes despite withdrawal of support from the County Council. Complaints regarding the changes had reduced as passengers had become accustomed to the revised timetables.

4.3 Members received an update regarding the Small Vehicle Passenger Transport (SVPT) project. It was noted that the savings originally anticipated were optimistic and would not be achieved; however, c. £900,000 non-cashable savings were made in 2014/15 and were used to offset various increased costs, whilst it was estimated that efficiencies of around £400,000 were achieved. It was likely that further specific work would be identified as a result of the SVPT project leading to a more focused approach to drive out efficiencies in particular areas of transport related activity.

4.4 Members noted that looking at good practice in other authorities 4 CHAIRMAN’S INITIALS

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would be a useful exercise, and asked officers to investigate how S. Aries others had driven down costs in similar service areas.

4.5 Members commented that work done to reduce costs as part of S Aries ‘business as usual’ should be highlighted if successful in avoiding budget pressures.

4.6 In general debate Members noted performance in relation to bus punctuality, which had been slightly below the target of 95% in the second quarter of the year, although recognising that this remained an area where performance was much better than other neighbouring counties. Officers commented that where bus services were commercially operated, the influence the County Council had in driving punctuality performance was limited. The impact of roadworks and diversions on bus punctuality was discussed; Members noted the importance of good communication with operators so that they were able to plan and adjust routes and timings in response to roadworks. Furthermore, officers reported that in terms of the government’s autumn statement it appeared that the Bus Support Grant (BSOG) would still be available in 2017/18 and continue to the end of the parliament, however, this was still to be confirmed.

Conclusion

4.7 The Cabinet Panel noted the report and commented on the performance monitor to the end of the second quarter of 2015-16 as outlined above.

5 OTHER PART I BUSINESS

5.1 None.

KATHRYN PETTITT CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER CHAIRMAN

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