Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: The Council Chamber, South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne

Contact: Democratic Services  03450 450 500 Email: democratic.services@scambs.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Decision:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bridget Smith, Councillor Grenville Chamberlain and Mark Robertson.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bridget Smith, Councillor Grenville Chamberlain and Mark Robertson.

2.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest from members of the Joint Assembly.

Decision:

In relation to agenda item 6, Councillor Kevin Cuffley informed the Joint Assembly that he had been involved in all the Local Liaison Forum meetings and conversations.

Minutes:

In relation to agenda item 6, Councillor Kevin Cuffley informed the Joint Assembly that he had been involved in all the Local Liaison Forum meetings and conversations.

3.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 442 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2017.

Decision:

The minutes of the meeting held on 13th September 2017, were agreed as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

·         Councillor Smith had requested bullet point 4 at page 10 of the minutes be amended to ‘Councillor Bridget Smith referred to the recommendation of some members of the LLF, that consideration be given to a rail focused park and ride at Foxton and recalled that support for some improvements had been agreed in principle some time ago’.

·         Under point 9 on page 14 of the minutes, the word ‘with’ would be added to the wording of the recommendation.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 13th September 2017, were agreed as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

·         Councillor Smith had requested bullet point 4 at page 10 of the minutes be amended to:

 ‘Councillor Bridget Smith referred to the recommendation of some members of the LLF, that consideration be given to a rail focused park and ride at Foxton and recalled that support for some improvements had been agreed in principle some time ago’.

·         Under point 9 on page 14 of the minutes, the word ‘with’ would be added to the wording of the recommendation.

4.

Questions from Members of the Public pdf icon PDF 190 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Three questions had been received from members of the public, one of which was not accepted for the meeting. This question had been deferred from the September meeting and the subject matter was not on the November Joint Assembly agenda. The Chairman directed officers to provide the questioner with a written response and for the questioner to be kept informed when relevant reports would be presented to the Executive Board.

 

The other two questions had been accepted and would be addressed at agenda item 10.

Minutes:

Three questions had been received from members of the public, one of which was not accepted for the meeting but would receive a written response and be kept informed by officers of when relevant reports would be presented to the Executive Board. The other two questions had been accepted and would be addressed at agenda item 10.

5.

Petitions

Decision:

No petitions were received.

Minutes:

No petitions were received.

6.

A1307 Three Campuses to Cambridge (A1307 Haverhill to Cambridge) - 25 mins (2.15pm - 2.40pm) pdf icon PDF 394 KB

To consider the attached report.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Joint Assembly commented on progress and indicated their overall support for the approach being recommended to the Executive Board. The Joint Assembly was reassured of the consultative approach with the Local Liaison Forum (LLF) to get support for the three strategies presented.

 

The Joint Assembly supported a proposal to move the scheme forward quickly by consulting on the three strategies now and the park and ride options at a later date, and also requested that officers pursue the options common to all three strategies once the Board had received and agreed the result of the consultation.

 

The Joint Assembly proposed that the Local Liaison Forum considered a new title for the project. 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Tony Orgee, Chairman of the Local Liaison Forum (LLF), updated the Joint Assembly on the work of the LLF:

·         Five workshops had taken place to develop options for the A1307 Haverhill to Cambridge corridor. 200 ideas had come forward which were grouped into 40 proposals. Three workshops took place to look at these proposals, focussing on a particular part of the route at each workshop.

·         The three strategies set out in the officer report to the Joint Assembly, had been developed by the LLF and presented at its workshop in September 2017. Councillor Orgee explained that all three strategies were identical between Fourwentways and Haverhill. The LLF considered it appropriate that all three strategies be taken forward to consultation by the GCP Executive Board.

·         Councillor Orgee urged that the work on the A1307 Haverhill to Cambridge corridor not be seen in isolation from the other work of the GCP and that the work of the GCP not be seen in isolation from the work of other organisations, such as the Combined Authority.

 

The GCP Interim Director of Transport presented the report and the recommendations that would be made to the Executive Board, explaining that some park and ride sites were no longer suitable and more sites needed to be identified. Public consultation was therefore anticipated to start in February 2018.

 

Councillor Ian Bates was in attendance as the Transport Portfolio Holder for the GCP Executive Board. He thanked the LLF Chairman on behalf of the Executive Board for the LLF’s work on the development of the three strategies, which reflected the direction of travel members of the public wanted to see.

 

The Joint Assembly was invited to comment on the report and proposals:

·         Members commended the LLF for its work on developing the three strategies and supported the recommendation to the Executive Board that these be put forward for consultation.

·         Councillor Williams requested that if no major concerns regarding the section between the A11 and Haverhill were raised during the consultation, this be progressed regardless of the outcomes of the consultation in relation to the strategies for the section between the A11 and Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC). Officers confirmed that subject to the consultation’s outcome  they would be recommending moving forward with this.

·         Claire Ruskin supported the next steps and milestones, but commented that the project name ‘Three Campuses to Cambridge’ was meaningless and should not be used. She supported the use of the name ‘Haverhill to Cambridge’. She further commented that the speed with which this work progressed needed to be proportionate to the immense speed of growth of employment on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Officers commented that they were hoping to progress rapidly.

·         Councillor Bick welcomed the LLF’s development of Option 1. He was keen to see existing populations benefit from improvements to transport infrastructure where possible and Option 1 appeared to provide this to the existing population of Sawston. The other options did not seem to provide the same level of benefit to existing populations.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Western Orbital - 20 mins (2.40pm-3.00pm) pdf icon PDF 615 KB

To consider the attached report.

Decision:

The Joint Assembly considered the overall approach being recommended to the Executive Board to develop a full business case for a preferred option for a new park and ride site immediately to the north west of junction 11 of the M11, to include increased park and ride capacity and access/bus priority measures both into and out of the park and ride along Trumpington Road for city bound park and ride bus services. The business case would compare the costs and benefits of a new park and ride site against significant expansion of the existing site at Trumpington.

 

Whether to expand the Trumpington Park and Ride led to a detailed debate amongst the Joint Assembly members, with a difference of opinions expressed. An additional recommendation to the Executive Board was proposed by Councillor Tim Bick that further park and ride development should be considered only on the Hauxton side of the M11. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Williams and a vote was taken with five members voting in favour of the proposal, five against and two abstaining.

 

The Joint Assembly Chairman requested that the Local Liaison Forum (LLF) received a written response to the resolutions made at both the September and November meetings. A meeting would be arranged between the Executive Board Transport Portfolio Holder and the Chairman of the LLF to discuss the responses.

 

Minutes:

Helen Bradbury, Chairman of the Western Orbital Local Liaison Forum, was invited to address the Joint Assembly. She brought the following points to their attention:

1.    Process – the LLF requested that more timebe given between the publication of end stage reports and the timing of the subsequent Joint Assembly meeting so that it could better feed its recommendations, concerns and suggestions into the decision-making process. The timing structure made it difficult for the Joint Assembly to take account of the LLF’s views and consequently the LLF did not believe that its views,recommendations and suggestions were given adequate consideration. The LLF Chairman explained the considerable amount of work that needed to be done by the LLF in the time between reports being published and Joint Assembly meetings taking place. This had been particularly difficult for the LLF in September 2017 with a large number of documents to consider in 12 days between publication of the Joint Assembly papers and the subsequent meeting. The LLF therefore recommended that an extra week be given between the publication of relevant end stage reports and the timing of the subsequent Joint Assembly meeting, to enable the LLF to carry out its relevant business within a reasonable timescale before the meeting.

2.    Connectivity at junction 13- The LLF did not believe that it was sensible to decide the alignment of the Cambourne to Cambridge busway first. The LLF believed that connectivity of a Western Orbital service to Cambourne to Cambridge bus services was of key importance. End to end journey times and journey quality from west of Cambridge settlements to key employment sites such as the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, were a critical factor in judging the benefit of these schemes, to allow proper evaluation of benefit to cost ratio. The LLF requested that the Joint Assembly recommended to the Executive Board that end-to-end journey metrics be included in all documentation on this and related schemes moving forward, particularly in the forthcoming consultation literature.

3.    Park and Ride at junction 11 – the LLF needed more information and more options to be put forward in order to provide a considered response to this. The LLF wanted to know why other locations around M11 junction 11 had been rejected so early in the process. The LLF acknowledged the importance of adequate park and ride provision near M11 junction 11, but had serious reservations about both park and ride options presented in the end stage report. The LLF felt it had not received answers to the questions it had asked of the Joint Assembly in September 2017. Trumpington Residents Association had raised many questions about the visual impact on the local community particularly if the Trumpington park and ride was decked, the impact on the local network if it was extended, what would happen during construction and the value for money per new parking space. The Joint Assembly was informed that Hauxton and Haston parish councils had questions regarding the impact on their villages of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Rapid Mass Transit Strategic Options Appraisal - 30 mins (3.00pm-3.30pm) pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Interim report from consultants Steer Davies Gleave (presentation).

Decision:

The Joint Assembly heard a presentation from Steer Davies Gleave, the consultants leading the rapid mass transit strategic options appraisal.

 

Minutes:

The Joint Assembly heard a presentation from Steer Davies Gleave, the consultants leading the rapid mass transit strategic options appraisal. Following the presentation, Joint Assembly members asked a number of questions and in response to these, were informed of the following:

·         A long list of options regarding the type of transport for mass transit, was being considered. In response to a question regarding whether cable cars had been considered for use in certain areas for short distances, the Joint Assembly was informed that cable cars were not a mass transit option. Tram trains were not on the shortlist of options, with the Department of Transport having advised that this should not be pursued.

·         Possible levels of growth post 2031 were being considered, with scenarios such as satellite developments on city fringes where major biomedical companies located back office functions and start-ups, may choose to locate.

·         Fundability and affordability of transport options was being considered, with options needing to be financially sustainable and demonstrate value for money for users.

·         Claire Ruskin invited the consultants to provide an update at an event looking at the future of transport, taking place on 30 November 2017.

 

 

9.

Histon Road - 15 mins (3.30pm-3.45pm) pdf icon PDF 222 KB

To consider the attached report.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Joint Assembly considered the report and supported the approach to the Executive Board to move away from the ‘do maximum’ approach which had been previously proposed.

 

The Joint Assembly commented on the progress, noting that subject to the outcome of the Executive Board meeting, a revised concept scheme for Histon Road would be presented to the Executive Board in March 2018.

 

Several Joint Assembly members questioned whether the scheme would still deliver a transformative step change in strategic terms given this proposed way forward. The Transport Director undertook to take away the comments to review the potential benefits against the anticipated costs.

Minutes:

The Interim Director of Transport gave an overview of the officer responses to the resolutions of the Histon Road Local Liaison Forum, advising that officers agreed with most of the LLF’s resolutions. The Interim Director of Transport advised that on street parking at the southern end of Histon Rd/Huntingdon Road needed to be looked at as it was causing issues due to the narrowness of the road. Bus priority at the far end at Kings Hedges to Gilbert Road needed to be looked. The Joint Assembly was informed that under the ‘do maximum’ approach, a bus lane from Kings Hedges to Gilbert Road had been suggested, which  would have involved taking gardens away due to the narrowness of the road. Following further work between officers and the LLF, the Board would be advised that this bus lane option was not necessary, with a bus gate and bus priority to be considered instead. Officers would work closely with the Histon Road LLF to minimise any impact on trees. The Transport Director explained the scheme was being proposed up to the A14 junction. Subject to Board agreement, a revised concept scheme would come back to the Greater Cambridge Partnership by March 2018.

 

The Joint Assembly considered the report and commented on the progress and officer recommendations to the Executive Board. The following points were raised:

·         Some Joint Assembly members questioned whether it was plausible to do something that would actually improve access along Histon Road. It was felt that a point of diminishing returns was being reached. There was support for the direction of travel outlined in the report, though it was felt that the result would not be transformative. In response to this, officers advised that consultants were looking into whether there was a good benefit to cost ratio. Whilst the Joint Assembly’s views were acknowledged and appreciated, the Interim Director of Transport felt strongly that Histon Road needed to be looked at.

·         Sir Michael Marshall advised that much pressure on Histon Road could be reduced by having a proper  feed off from the M11 at junction 13 southbound. The Interim Director of Transport advised that junction 13 would be tied in with discussions with Highways England regarding smart motorways.

·         Councillor Kavanagh felt that the reference needed to be made to the safety of cyclists rather than the ‘comfort’ of cycling as referred to in the report. He stressed that the Huntingdon Road end of Histon Road was one of the most dangerous stretches for cyclists. Officers accepted this point, acknowledging that it was a well known incident spot for cyclists.

·         Councillor Bick expressed his support for the direction of travel outlined in the report and congratulated the LLF on their work with officers.

·         The Director of Transport emphasised that problems on roads were caused by junctions rather than links between junctions, with queuing occurring on the links due to congestion at the junctions.

·         The Joint Assembly was informed that Histon Road and the A10 Trumpington Road had seen the most  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Quarterly Progress Report - 10 mins (3.45pm-3.55pm) pdf icon PDF 747 KB

To consider the attached report.

Decision:

The Joint Assembly discussed, noted and indicated their overall support of the recommendations to the Executive Board regarding Cambridge South Station, Girton interchange and the Cambridgeshire rail study.  

 

In relation to the Park and Ride subsidy, the Joint Assembly questioned whether the Greater Cambridge Partnership should fund services that other organisations delivered. The Joint Assembly also asked what happened when Greater Cambridge Partnership funding ceased and whether this would result in changes being re-instated.

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Mike Mason and Councillor Susan van de Ven to ask their questions relating to this item, which had been submitted in line with the provisions of Standing Orders. Details of the questions and a summary of the answers given are set out in Appendix A to the minutes. In response to comments made by Councillor van de Ven, the Chairman assured her that officers would update the report before it was presented to the Executive Board, to reflect that the Cambridge to Royston cycle scheme was not complete and was missing a critical link.

 

The Strategic Programme and Commissioning Manager presented the quarterly progress report, which updated Joint Assembly members on progress across the Greater Cambridge Partnership programme. The GCP Interim Chief Executive drew Joint Assembly members’ attention to the recommendations to the Executive Board regarding Cambridge South station, the Park and Ride subsidy, the Girton Interchange and Cambridgeshire rail study, as outlined in the appendices to the report.

 

The Joint Assembly noted the recommendations to the Executive Board and discussed the proposals, raising the following points:

·         While members supported the proposals which would enable the removal of the £1 parking charge at park and ride sites from 1st April 2018, they questioned what the long term sustainable source of funding was for this and whether parking charges would be reinstated once the GCP funding ended. Furthermore, members were of the opinion that the park and ride charge should never have been imposed and that the Cambridge City Deal funding had not been awarded to fund existing services in order to keep them going. Members felt this was questionable in relation to the purposes for which the original City Deal had been set up; to fund sustainable growth and infrastructure.

·         Members asked whether there was a commitment from Cambridgeshire County Council that parking charges at park and ride sites, including at new sites to be developed by the GCP, would not be reinstated in future. It was felt that if the County  Council reinstated park and ride parking charges in future, it would go against the GCP’s work in trying to achieve a modal shift to public transport as the preferred form of transport. In response to this, the County Council’s Finance Director informed members that for the next five years, income from the park and ride charge had been removed from County Council financial plans and Council resources were being managed without that income. A perpetual commitment could not however be made by officers and an ongoing revenue stream would have to be found.

·         Councillor Williams asked whether Cambridge South station would be accessible to residents as well as those who worked at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

·         Councillor Williams requested that the Executive Board be asked to look at a cost to benefit review of extended opening times of park and ride sites and extended operating times of buses. He advised that services would be better used if they were available from earlier and until  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Date of Next Meeting - 5 mins (3.55pm-4.00pm)

Thursday 18 January 2018 in the Kreis Viersen Room, Shire Hall, Cambridge

Decision:

The Joint Assembly noted the next meeting would take place on Thursday 18th January 2018 at 2pm in the Kreis Viersen Room, Shire Hall, Cambridge.

Minutes:

The Joint Assembly noted that the date of the next meeting was Thursday 18th January 2018 at 2pm in the Kreis Viersen Room, Shire Hall, Cambridge.

12.

Appendix A to the minutes (Questions and Answers to public questions) pdf icon PDF 251 KB