Annual Report 2019-20 Annual 19-Report 20 Annual Annual Report 2019-20 Report 2019-20 Contents 03 Foreword (Chair) 05 Who We Are 12 Our Activities 2019-20 31 European Projects 37 Appendix: Annual Accounts and Reports 38 Contact Information 2 Annual Report 2019-20 Foreword Our role providing strategic regional data and trends to produce a direction Main Issues Report. This is a precursor As a Regional Transport Partnership, to the development of a new Regional SEStran provides strategic direction. We Transport Strategy which will set out work to achieve common purpose across an ambitious course for transforming our eight local authority partners; we have transport and mobility across the region. a statutory duty to prepare a Regional Leading by example Transport Strategy (RTS) and keep it up to Last year SEStran continued to be actively date. The RTS provides the coordinating involved in demonstrating how innovative platform for the development of local changes in strategic transport, personal transport plans. It helps shape a wide mobility and logistics will work in the range of policies for regional and local south east of Scotland. land use, and economic development As Chair of SEStran, I am plans. It fosters a consistent approach Many of the projects we supported help immensely proud to present across our eight statutory partners. to tackle the most challenging issues that the annual report for 2019/20. we face today, and we have continued The challenges we now face as a region to collaborate on some of the most with a rapidly growing population, and Throughout the year, SEStran pro- innovative EU and Scottish projects in those we all face as a society from more actively developed strategies and order to bring the best of new approaches extreme weather events and climate studies, and supported projects that to our partners and region. The following change, make it imperative that the RTS make a real difference in the region. are a mere flavour of the work of the past sets out the best strategic direction year, I hope you will enjoy reading more possible. For this reason, last year we within the report itself. embarked on a study of partner issues, 3 Annual Report 2019-20 Foreword Cont’d In active travel, the SEStran Strategic Our BLING project, in partnership with the Of course, behind these highlights, the Network study has delivered a bold University of Edinburgh, began testing dedicated SEStran team continues to ac- and visionary proposal for a regional the way blockchain technology can help tively work with partners and stakehold- active travel network, with funding from facilitate efficient freight consolidation, ers, hosting formal partnership meetings Sustrans Scotland. As demand rises for and we were delighted to receive funding and forums, contributing, reaching out to longer distance active travel commuting notice from Transport Scotland for a major a wide range of stakeholders, and actively and leisure, this is a vital resource for Forth Freight Study in partnership with demonstrating the benefits of a regional partners at all levels. Forth Ports Plc. focus for transport. To promote transport equality, a rebrand GO e-bike successfully expanded Finally, I am particularly proud, as I write of Thistle Assistance and marketing its coverage in the region with hubs this, that SEStran’s achievements in campaign led to over 10,000 new cards at 9 locations across the region, 2019/20 remain highly relevant, necessary being issued across Scotland (SEStran providing e-bikes in some of the and positive contributions to the south leads this nationally). Furthermore, an most disadvantaged communities innovative development project funded east of Scotland - even as our worldview and providing companies with the by Scottish Enterprise has allowed local is adjusted by the Covid-19 pandemic, opportunity for staff to trial e-bikes for companies to prove a concept for a which rapidly came into focus towards up to six weeks. Our partnership with Scotland wide Thistle Assistance App the end of last year. As an organisation, Cycling Scotland to support Bikeability with adaptations for a wide range of user we remain alert to a changeable context, Scotland delivery, benefitted primary needs. and responsive to opportunities to help schools in all corners of the region. respond, plan and prepare the region for In tackling climate change, SEStran changes ahead. In developments around sustainable set up a regional grouping of partners, logistics, the successful Surflogh cargo- delivered three strategic studies and On behalf of the SEStran team, we look bike delivery project demonstrated how invested in improving Real Time Passenger forward to continuing to work with you. the approach is commercially viable and Information, all to help prepare for the ready to be rolled out in new areas. introduction of a Low Emission Zone in Edinburgh. Cllr Gordon Edgar Chair August 2020 4 Annual Report 2019-20 Who We Are SEStran is South East of Scotland Transport Partnership. We are one of seven statutory Regional Transport Partnerships in Scotland established under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005. SEStran encompasses eight local authorities. SEStran’s Vision: “A regional transport Target “By 2022, to reduce the percentage system that provides of people commuting to Edinburgh by all citizens of South single occupant car from each local East Scotland with authority area in South East Scotland by 10% compared to a 2001 base. a genuine choice of For Edinburgh residents working transport which fulfils outwith the City Council area, to reduce their reliance on the single their needs and provides occupant car for commuting by 10% travel opportunities for over the same period.” work and leisure on a sustainable basis.” 5 Annual Report 2019-20 Who We Are Our Objectives SEStran participates We have highlighted the relationship between our work and our strategic in a diverse range of objectives with an icon, a number in a circle relating to each of our objectives transport projects and the key priorities represented by each of the following icons: and events on a Objectives Priorities local, national and international scale. All Economy - to ensure transport facilitates our work is focused economic growth, regional prosperity and vitality Bus on delivering against in a sustainable manner our core strategic Train objective areas: Accessibility - to improve accessibility for those with limited transport choice (including those with mobility difficulties) or no access to a car, particularly those living in rural areas Active Travel Environment - to ensure that development is achieved in an environmentally sustainable manner Car Share Safety and Health - to promote a healthier and more active SEStran area population £ Economy Corporate - to continually improve performance to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in SEStran service delivery. 6 Annual Report 2019-20 Who We Are SEStran Team SEStran has a core staff of ten, and one Cycling Scotland embedded officer, as of April 2020: • Partnership Director, • Business Manager, Jim Grieve Angela Chambers • Senior Partnership Manager, • Business Support Assistant, Anna Herriman Cheryl Fergie • Programmes Manager, • Business Support Officer, Keith Fisken Hannah Markley • Strategy and Projects Officer, • Cycling Scotland Officer Jim Stewart Beth Harley-Jepson • Project Officer, • Marketing Intern Julie Vinders Rhianne Forrest • Active Travel Officer, Peter Jackson Local Authority Partners Partnership Board City of Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, The board consists of 20 elected members East Lothian, Falkirk, Fife, Midlothian, from the partnership local authorities and Scottish Borders and West Lothian. nine appointed non-councillor members. The Partnership Board meet quarterly. Headquarters SEStran’s operational and administrative premises are based in Edinburgh at Victoria Quay. 7 Annual Report 2019-20 Who We Are Governance Decision Making Structure The Succession Planning Committee Equalities Duty SEStran’s main policy and budgetary remit covers matters related to decisions are taken by the Partnership succession planning and Board SEStran published its Mainstreaming and Board, which consists of 20 Councillor appointments. Its membership consists Equalities Outcomes Progress Report and nine Non-Councillor members. of the Partnership Chair, two Board for the period 2017-19 on 30 April 2019. members, the Partnership Director, the Operational decisions are taken by the During the reporting period SEStran Partnership Secretary and a Human Partnership Director and other officers have engaged with our legal advisers Resources adviser. in accordance with the List of Officer to ensure full compliance with our Powers which forms part of SEStran’s obligations under the Public Sector Governance Scheme. The Scheme Cyber Security Equalities Duties. Some of the actions is reviewed regularly and was last undertaken during this annual reporting In order to comply with the Scottish updated in September 2019. period are: Government’s Public Sector Cyber The Partnership Board delegates some Security Action Plan, SEStran carried • Inclusion Scotland Intern decisions to Committees in accordance out a robust review of its IT provision. • Board Diversity Succession with the Governance Scheme. The Under the scheme, an independent Plan/Skills Audit Performance and Audit Committee cyber security consultant was appointed remit covers scrutiny of performance, in 2018 and audited the partnership’s • Equalities and Human Rights staffing, standards