Decision details

To approve Bath and North East Somerset Council's participation in the Western Gateway Shadow Sub-National Transport Body

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet:

1)  Approved Bath and North East Somerset Council’s participation in a Shadow Sub-National Transport Body.

2)  Agreed the Shadow Sub-National Transport Body prospectus and note the emerging transport priorities (Appendix A).

3)  Agreed to enter into a Heads of Terms and Constitution agreement with other Transport Authorities (Appendix B).

4)  Agreed to appoint the Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment to represent the Council on the Shadow Sub-National Transport Body’s Partnership Board and for a fellow Cabinet Member to act as a nominated deputy in the absence of the Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment.

5)  Agreed to delegate authority to the Corporate Director, in consultation with Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, to represent the Council on the Shadow Sub-National Transport Senior Officer Group.

Through its consultation on the proposed Major Road Network and from briefings at Association of Directors of Environment, Planning and Transportation (ADEPT) the Department for Transport has given a clear steer that it is looking to work with Sub-National Transport Bodies. The South West is one of the last parts of the Country to form a Body and it is important to show Government that Council’s can work collaboratively. Joining the Sub-National Transport Body will help demonstrate joined up working and maximise the Council’s ability to influence regional transport policy, scheme prioritisation and lobby for funding.

Through its consultation on the proposed Major Road Network and from briefings at Association of Directors of Environment, Planning and Transportation (ADEPT) the Department for Transport has given a clear steer that it is looking to work with Sub-National Transport Bodies. The South West is one of the last parts of the Country to form a Body and it is important to show Government that Council’s can work collaboratively. Joining the Sub-National Transport Body will help demonstrate joined up working and maximise the Council’s ability to influence regional transport policy, scheme prioritisation and lobby for funding.

The Council does not engage with Transport Authorities across the South West to form a Shadow Sub-National Transport Authority.  There is no statutory requirement to be part of the Body; however this was rejected as it may negatively impact future funding opportunities and the ability to influence strategic regional transport policy and scheme prioritisation 

The Council becomes an associate member of an existing Sub-National Transport Body only; however this is rejected as it would not align with the shared regional challenges and mutual benefits of the Western Gateway grouping. This option could also impact future funding within Bath and North East Somerset as well limiting our ability to influence strategic transport issues within our own area.

The option of one Body for the entire South West was explored by the Officer group but rejected on the basis that the South West Peninsula group of authorities did not share the same transport issues and collaborative agreement is more difficult to achieve across a wider group.