South West of England Committee
Session 2008–09
Formal Minutes
Wednesday 11th March 2009 at 5:00 pm Committee Room 17
1. Declaration of interests
Members declared their interests in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992 (see Appendix).
2. Election of Chairman
Alison Seabeck was called to the Chair.
3. Oral Evidence in public
Ordered, That the public be admitted during the examination of witnesses unless the Committee orders otherwise.
Ordered, That, unless the Committee orders otherwise, uncorrected transcripts of oral evidence given to the Committee be published on the internet.
4. Permission to publish Written Evidence
Ordered, That those who submit written evidence to the Committee have leave to publish it, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 135, except in cases of particular sensitivity, where the Clerk is authorised to refer the matter to the Committee for decision.
5. Committee programme
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into the impact of the current economic situation on the South West and the Government’s response.
[Adjourned to a day and time to be fixed by the Chairman. Appendix: Declaration of interests
David Drew declared sponsorship of an intern by CARE (Christian Action, Research and Education).
Kerry McCarthy declared the following overseas visits:
17-22 March 2008, to India, to visit education projects with the Global Campaign for Education/World Vision. Travel, accommodation and subsistence paid for by World Vision. (Registered 25 April 2008)
5-8 April 2008, to Norway/Svalbard, to learn about the politics and economics of the High North, including energy policy and the impact of climate change. Travel, accommodation and other expenses paid by the Norwegian Embassy. (Registered 25 April 2008)
25-29 May 2008, to Bangladesh, to visit TB, microfinance and education programmes with the charity Results UK, who met the costs of travel, accommodation and food.
Dr Doug Naysmith declared an overseas visit on 6-11 December 2008, to Dakar, Senegal, with the APPG on Global TB to attend an international conference on tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria. He also visited localities in the Dakar area to see projects concerned with the prevention and treatment of AIDS, TB and malaria. The visit was funded by the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria.
South West of England Committee
Session 2008–09
Formal Minutes
Wednesday 30th March 2009 at 4:00 pm Committee Room 5
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee hold its next meeting in Swindon.
2. Oral evidence
The Committee took oral evidence from Harry Studholme, Board Member and Stephen Peacock, Executive Director, Enterprise and Innovation, South West Regional Development Agency, and Peter Brown, Deputy Chief Executive of the South West Regional Assembly and South West Councils and Cllr Rod Bluh, Leader of Swindon Borough Council and Leader of the South West Strategic Leaders Board; Ben Bradshaw MP, Minister for the South West, Jon Bright, Regional Director, Richard Bayly, Deputy Regional Director, Economy, Growth and Regeneration, Thoss Shearer, Deputy Regional Director, Regional Strategies, Housing and Planning, Government Office for the South West.
[Adjourned to a day and time to be fixed by the Chairman. Appendix: Declaration of interests
David Drew declared sponsorship of an intern by CARE (Christian Action, Research and Education).
Kerry McCarthy declared the following overseas visits:
17-22 March 2008, to India, to visit education projects with the Global Campaign for Education/World Vision. Travel, accommodation and subsistence paid for by World Vision. (Registered 25 April 2008)
5-8 April 2008, to Norway/Svalbard, to learn about the politics and economics of the High North, including energy policy and the impact of climate change. Travel, accommodation and other expenses paid by the Norwegian Embassy. (Registered 25 April 2008)
25-29 May 2008, to Bangladesh, to visit TB, microfinance and education programmes with the charity Results UK, who met the costs of travel, accommodation and food.
Dr Doug Naysmith declared an overseas visit on 6-11 December 2008, to Dakar, Senegal, with the APPG on Global TB to attend an international conference on tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria. He also visited localities in the Dakar area to see projects concerned with the prevention and treatment of AIDS, TB and malaria. The visit was funded by the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria.
South West of England Committee
Session 2008–09
Formal Minutes
Monday 8th June 2009 at 10:40 am Sir Daniel Gooch Theatre, STEAM Railway Museum, Swindon
1. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Transport in the South West.
2. Oral evidence: the impact of the current economic situation on the South West and the Government’s response.
Vivian Rayner, Regional Officer, Federation of Small Businesses; David Rosser, Director, CBI South West; Nick Beaumont-Jones, Swindon Chamber of Commerce; Helen Scadding, Partnership Development Manager, Citizen’s Advice Bureau; Dal Warburton, Development Consultant, UK Advice; Karen Stalbow, Senior Regional Campaign Manager, Shelter; Simon Nunn, Head of South Region, National Housing Federation; Ian Ducat, Regional Secretary, UNISON; Tim Lezard, Chair, Regional TUC; Paul Lucken, Regional Director of Skills, Learning and Skills Council; and Rachel Jones, District Manager for the West of England, Jobcentre Plus, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned to a day and time to be fixed by the Chairman.
South West of England Committee
Session 2008–09
Formal Minutes
Thursday 16th July 2009 at 2:00 pm Committee Room 15
1. Chairman’s draft report on the Impact of the Economic Situation on the South West and the Government’s Response
The draft Report was agreed to: the Formal Minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the First Report from the Committee, HC 392.
2. Future Programme
The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee meet in Bristol and Taunton to take oral evidence on its inquiry into Transport in the South West.
[Adjourned to a day and time to be fixed by the Chairman.
South West of England Committee
Session 2008–09
Formal Minutes
Monday 22nd October 2009 at 10:40 am @ Bristol
In the temporary absence of the Chairman, Mr David Drew was called to the Chair for the meeting.
1. Transport in the South West
Jim Russell, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport; Simon Face, Institute of Directors; Chris Irwin, South West Stakeholders and Travel Watch Southwest; Mike Birkin, Friends of the Earth; Barbara Davies, West of England Partnership; Clive Perkin, Plymouth City Council; Nick Vane, UK Bus First; Jenny Raggett, Campaign for Better Transport Bristol & Bath Travel to Work Area; Adrian Roper, Sustrans; and Dr Gabriel Scally, Regional Director for Public Health, gave oral evidence.
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to Transport in the South West be reported to the House for publication on the internet: SWT 01 HM Government - GOSW SWT 02 Nigel May SWT 03 Bernard Lane SWT 04 Lavinia Archer SWT 05 David Wood SWT 06 Nicky Walker SWT 07 Jill Elson SWT 08 David Baker SWT 09 Roger Lowry SWT 10 Terry A Coleman SWT 11 David Bailey SWT 12 Stephen J Palmer SWT 13 John G Groves SWT 14 Hilary Burn SWT 15 Bob Edwards SWT 16 Stephen Howard SWR 17 Andrew Turpin SWT 18 David Potter SWT 19 Mike Friend SWT 20 Bristol Civic Society Transport Group SWT 21 Salisbury Campaign for Better Transport SWT 22 Torbay Line Rail Users SWT 23 Widworthy Parish Council SWT 24 Lynne Nicholls SWT 25 Neill Mitchell SWT 26 Sutton Harbour Group SWT 27 CPRE South West SWT 28 Ivybridge Town Council SWT 29 Institute of Directors SW SWT 30 Ed Bonney SWT 31 Mid-Devon District Council SWT 32 South West Forum SWT 33 Temple to Bodmin A30 Action Group SWT 34 Jacqueline Gilbert SWT 35 Plymouth Civic Society SWT 36 Dr Gabriel Scally, Regional Director of Public Health, NHS South West SWT 37 Cornwall Council SWT 38 Exmoor National Park Authority SWT 39 TravelWatch South West SWT 40 CBI South West SWT 41 John Jerwood SWT 42 Peter Robottom SWT 43 Federation of Small Businesses SWT 44 Vaughan Magor SWT 45 SWT 45 A Transport for Greater Bristol Alliance SWT 46 SWRDA SWT 47 Taunton Dene Borough Council SWT 48 Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways SWT 49 West of England Partnership SWT 50 St Germans Rail Users Group SWT 51 Devon County Council SWT 52 Bristol International Airport SWT 53 GWE Business West SWT 54 Campaign for Better Transport—Devon Group SWT 55 Friends of the Earth SWT 56 Campaign for Better Transport, Bristol and Bath Travel to Work Area SWT 57 Falmouth Harbour Commissioners SWT 58 Flybe SWT 59 Plymouth City Council SWT 60 A36/A350 Corridor Alliance SWT 61 Chartered Institute of Transport SWT 62 Whimple Parish Council SWT 63 Severn Link SWT 64 Passenger Focus SWT 65 Dorset County Council SWT 66 Sustainability South West SWT 67 Natural England SWT 68 Institution of Civil Engineers SWT 69 Public Health Directorate Bristol PCT SWT 70 South West Councils SWT 71 Swindon Borough Council SWT 72 Network Rail SWT 73 National Express SWT 74 Sustrans SWT 75 Sherborne Transport Action Group SWT 76 Rail Future (hard copy only) SWT 77 First Great Western SWT 78 Peter Mulley, B.Sc.Eng SWT 79 Railfuture Devon & Cornwall Branch SWT 80 Devon and Cornwall Business Council SWT 81 British Ports Association SWT 82 Summerfield Developments (SW) Limited (Taunton) SWT 83 First Group plc – UK Bus Division SWT 84 National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) SWT 85 Patrick Hulme SWT 86 Warren Marsh SWT 87 Bournemouth Airport SWT 88 Exeter International Airport SWT 89 Carolyn Johnson SWT 90 Royal Automobile Club Foundation SWT 91 Ray Bentley SWT 92 Bristol Port Company SWT 93 Bristol Visual & Environmental Group
[Adjourned till Monday 2 November at 11.40 am at Taunton Public Library
South West of England Committee
Session 2008–09
Formal Minutes
Monday 2nd November 2009 at 11:40 am Meeting Room, Taunton Public Library
1. Consideration of Government’s Response to the Committee’s First Report on Impact of the economic downturn on the South West and the Government’s response
Special Report (Impact of the economic downturn on the South West and the Government’s response: Government response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2008-09), proposed by the Chairman, brought up, read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s Response to the First Report from the Committee was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the First Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
2. Transport in the South West
Dr Doug Naysmith declared a non-pecuniary interest as a former Chairman of Bristol Port Authority and current Trustee of Bristol Port Authority Pension Fund.
Mr David Drew declared an non-pecuniary interest as a member of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England.
Bill Billington, RAC Foundation, Julian Crow, First Great Western Trains, Mike Lambden, National Express, Tim Charlesworth, South West Ports Association, Jamie Christon, Exeter International Airport, Michael Greedy, Passenger Focus, Isobel Mack, Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, Dan James, Exmoor National Park Authority, Adrian Welsh, Cornwall Council, Andy Shaw, Dorset County Council, Jeremy Filmer-Bennett, Devon and Cornwall Business Council, and Alan Cousins, St Germans Rail Users Group, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned to a day and time to be fixed by the Chairman.