Issue - meetings

This report informs the Executive of the Department for Transport’s consultation on possible changes to rail franchising, highlights the specific implications of the changes for York and presents a proposed response to the specific questions in the consultation.

Note: Annex A to this report (the consultation paper) has not been included in the agenda pack and is available to view on-line only.  Printed copies have been circulated to Executive Members and Group Leaders.

RESOLVED: That the proposed response to the consultation paper set out in Annex B to the report be approved, subject to the comments being strengthened to include the following issues:

a)                 improved carriage facilities for bicycles;

b)                 action to deal with overcrowding issues on key commuter routes and recognising the reduction in rolling stock for Northern Rail;

c)                  the need for an engagement process involving City Regions and LTAs to ensure that non-PTE areas are involved in the franchising process.

REASON:      To ensure that the Council takes this opportunity to share its views on rail franchising with the Department of Transport, and to ensure that the response reflects Members’ concerns.

Members considered a report which informed them of the Department for Transport’s consultation on possible changes to rail franchising, highlighted the specific implications of the changes for York, and sought approval for a proposed response to the consultation.

The consultation paper elaborated on the Government’s aspirations to deliver a more efficient, responsive and value for money rail industry, by attracting private investment through the grant of longer franchises.  The paper had been made available on the Council’s website as Annex A to the report.

The proposed response, attached as Annex B and summarised in paragraphs 11 to 23, was broadly supportive of the proposals but warned against awarding franchises on the basis of unrealistic growth predictions, argued that the Government should retain a proportion of the revenue risk and suggested incorporating a reward-based system into the franchise as an incentive to meet targets for improving cost efficiency.

Having noted the comments of the Labour Group Spokespersons on this item, it was

RESOLVED: That the proposed response to the consultation paper set out in Annex B to the report be approved, subject to the comments being strengthened to include the following issues:

a)                 improved carriage facilities for bicycles;

b)                 action to deal with overcrowding issues on key commuter routes and recognising the reduction in rolling stock for Northern Rail;

c)                  the need for an engagement process involving City Regions and LTAs to ensure that non-PTE areas are involved in the franchising process. ¹

REASON:      To ensure that the Council takes this opportunity to share its views on rail franchising with the Department of Transport, and to ensure that the response reflects Members’ concerns.