Agenda and minutes

Resolved –   That Councillor Page be elected Chair of the Berkshire Local Transport Body (BLTB) for the ensuing municipal year. 

Resolved –   That Steve Capel-Davies be elected Deputy Chair of the BLTB for the ensuing municipal year. 

Ruth Bagley advised that the BLTB Founding Document had been forwarded to the DfT.  Specific feedback on the Document was still awaited, however, the DfT had given generic feedback on the Founding Document centred around three themes:

1. Funding of the activities of the Board

Ruth Bagley advised that the basic administrative costs of servicing the BLTB would be picked up by Slough Borough Council.  However there would be a cost element associated with the necessary independent analysis and evaluation of schemes.  It was anticipated that neighbouring authorities could be used to assist in this process in a reciprocal arrangement and it was noted that this could include authorities in Surrey and Buckinghamshire.  BLTB members agreed that if there was a cash cost in pursuing the independent evaluation the cost would be shared equally amongst the BLTB Board members.

2. A clear evidence based prioritisation methodology needed to be developed.  Ruth Bagley advised that this prioritisation methodology would be developed through the BSTF and would then be reported formally to the next meeting of the BLTB.  Members of the BLTB noted that their next proposed meeting was to be on the 18^th July 2013 and that the prioritised schemes needed to be submitted to the DfT by 23^rd July.  There was some concern expressed that this was a tight timescale and would not provide sufficient time for the BLTB to finalise the prioritisation of schemes.  Ruth Bagley advised that there were two scheduled meetings of the BLTF and officer group before the next formal meeting of the BLTB on 18th July.  It was agreed that following the first scheduled officer meeting an additional BSTF meeting would be called if it was felt necessary to give further consideration to the prioritisation of schemes (possibly in June or early July.) 

3. Value for money and proportionality in Scheme Assessment

There was a requirement to determine value for money and for proportionality in scheme assessment.  The DfT was providing guidance and training on these matters. 

Members noted that if further specific feedback was received from the DfT on the Founding Document this would be submitted to the meeting of the BLTB on 18^th July 2013. 

To date five Local Authorities had formally approved their membership of the BLTB and had adopted the founding document. 

The BLTB noted that within its proposed structure and operating principles no quorum for meetings had been identified.  It was agreed that the quorum for BLTB meetings would be two local authority members and/or their deputies and two Thames Valley Berkshire LEP members. 

Resolved –

(a)  That the Berkshire Local Transport Body’s Assurance Framework be as set out in the report be adopted subject to the inclusion of a quorum for the BLTB being identified as two local authority members or their deputies and two LEP members. 

(b)  That the generic feedback from the DfT be noted. 

Ruth Bagley advised that a forward plan was being developed for BLTF meetings in addition to the BLTB Forward Plan so that members would be able to see the flow of business between the various groups.  The Forward Plan would be kept up to date on a rolling basis. 

Members agreed that future meetings of the BLTB would be held in Slough. 

None identified.