Agenda item

(a)  That the progress in the establishment of the TFSE sub-national body be noted;

(b)  That the formal consultation response submitted by Slough Borough Council, as a constituent member and part of the Berkshire Local Transport Group, to TFSE’s draft proposal to Government to establish the body be noted;

(c)  That the main areas of agreement with TFSE’s proposals be highlighted and to recommend ongoing support for the development of the TFSE strategy with prioritisation for the following specific areas:

·  Increasing transport connectivity across the South East, maximising the benefit of cross-boundary links and regional travel; developing and maintaining the resilience of strategic corridors, enhanced partnership arrangements, and support for Public Transport including smart-ticketing innovations and similar technological solutions. 

·  Increasing economic growth across the South East;

·  Improving air quality and related environmental benefits in the South East.

·  Improving accessibility within the South East, leading to greater social equality.

·  Endorsing and contributing to the sub-national transport body’s ability and powers to lobby central government and seek increased funding, over and above the opportunities that would otherwise be available to individual local authorities.

(d)  That any challenges to the proposal be noted, and specifically the areas where further research and engagement by TFSE are required, including:

·  Increased reference to the role and potential opportunities associated with Heathrow Airport, Transport for London and all other neighbouring regional authorities and organisations of significance.

·  Greater acknowledgment of the economic benefits being delivered in the most successful and highest performing areas within the region.

·  Clarification on a number of matters relating to voting procedures and dispute resolution

·  Reference to the importance of Travel Demand Management, focusing on practical and technological solutions. 

(e)  To further recognise the synergies between the TFSE proposal for the region and key policies in Slough, including the Slough Borough Council Transport Vision, the SBC Low Emission Strategy, the overall SBC Local Plan and all related core transport and environmental policies.

(f)  To maintain overall support for the establishment of TFSE as a sub-national transport body.

A report was considered that set out the main elements of Slough Borough Council’s formal response to the Transport for the South East (TfSE) consultation on the TfSE proposal to become a sub-national transport body.  The Cabinet had agreed in March 2019 that Slough Borough Council join TfSE.  It was noted that the Government had decided not to formally award statutory status to any more sub-national transport bodies at the present time, however, work would continue to prepare for such status in the future.

The TfSE consultation, ‘Proposal to Government’, set out the transport vision for the south east, which was broadly consistent with the vision and wider interests of Slough Borough Council.  The draft response was included in the Appendices to the report and set out both the areas of agreement and challenge where the Council believed the proposals could be strengthened.  These included greater emphasis on the role and opportunities of Heathrow Airport and greater acknowledgement of supporting the higher performing places in the south east where there was greatest economic potential.

Lead Members welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the strategy and agreed that it was important to take a wider strategic approach across the south east to support local and sub-regional objectives.  The links with the Clean Air Charter were noted in that it was important both to promote clean vehicles to reduce pollution and also take action to address the problems of congestion.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the recommendations were agreed.

Resolved –

(a)  That the progress in the establishment of the TFSE sub-national body be noted;

(b)  That the formal consultation response submitted by Slough Borough Council, as a constituent member and part of the Berkshire Local Transport Group, to TFSE’s draft proposal to Government to establish the body be noted;

(c)  That the main areas of agreement with TFSE’s proposals be highlighted and to recommend ongoing support for the development of the TFSE strategy with prioritisation for the following specific areas:

·  Increasing transport connectivity across the South East, maximising the benefit of cross-boundary links and regional travel; developing and maintaining the resilience of strategic corridors, enhanced partnership arrangements, and support for Public Transport including smart-ticketing innovations and similar technological solutions. 

·  Increasing economic growth across the South East;

·  Improving air quality and related environmental benefits in the South East.

·  Improving accessibility within the South East, leading to greater social equality.

·  Endorsing and contributing to the sub-national transport body’s ability and powers to lobby central government and seek increased funding, over and above the opportunities that would otherwise be available to individual local authorities.

(d)  That any challenges to the proposal be noted, and specifically the areas where further research and engagement by TFSE are required, including:

·  Increased reference to the role and potential opportunities associated with Heathrow Airport, Transport for London and all other neighbouring regional authorities and organisations of significance.

·  Greater acknowledgment of the economic benefits being delivered in the most successful and highest performing areas within the region.

·  Clarification on a number of matters relating to voting procedures and dispute resolution

·  Reference to the importance of Travel Demand Management, focusing on practical and technological solutions. 

(e)  To further recognise the synergies between the TFSE proposal for the region and key policies in Slough, including the Slough Borough Council Transport Vision, the SBC Low Emission Strategy, the overall SBC Local Plan and all related core transport and environmental policies.

(f)  To maintain overall support for the establishment of TFSE as a sub-national transport body.