Issue - meetings

This report sets out the proposed governance arrangements for Rail North Ltd and the Association of Rail North Partner Authorities and seeks the Executive’s approval to confirm membership of both bodies.

Resolved:    (i)    That Executive notes the proposed governance arrangements for Rail North Ltd (RNL) and the Association of Rail North Partner Authorities (“The Association”);

                    (ii)     That City of York Council (CYC) confirms its membership of both bodies.

Reason:     To enable the authority to have influence over the key industry stakeholders and the development and implementation of rail services across the North of England.

Members considered a report which set out the proposed governance arrangements for Rail North Ltd and the Association of Rail North Partner Authorities. Rail North, had been set up as an interim organisation, established with the aim of promoting the devolution of rail franchising from Whitehall to the North of England and included all 30 Local Transport Authorities (LTA) in the North of England.

Officers referred to the benefits of membership of the bodies, in particular that the authority would have a greater influence over key industry stakeholders and the development and implementation of rail services across the North of England.

The Executive Member expressed his support for membership of the bodies and consideration was given to the following options:

Option 1 To join the collaborative transport structures of which Rail for the North is a key part.  Rail for the North and the sister organisation Transport for the North are rapidly starting to progress the priorities for strategic transport investment in the North of England and City of York Council as a City with a key part of the Rail infrastructure within its boundaries has the potential to play a significant role.

Option 2:- Officers were unaware of any of the other 29 LTA that had not chosen to become a member of both bodies; however the Authority could choose not to join. 

Following discussion it was

Resolved:    (i)    That Executive notes the proposed governance arrangements for Rail North Ltd (RNL) and the Association of Rail North Partner Authorities (“The Association”);

                    (ii)     That City of York Council (CYC) confirms its membership of both bodies. ^1.

Reason:     To enable the authority to have influence over the key industry stakeholders and the development and implementation of rail services across the North of England.