Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Lewis Herbert was ELECTED Chairperson of the Greater Cambridge Partnership Executive Board.

Councillor Lewis Herbert was ELECTED Chairperson of the Greater Cambridge Partnership Executive Board.

Councillor Ian Bates was ELECTED Vice Chairperson of the Greater Cambridge Partnership Executive Board.

Councillor Ian Bates was ELECTED Vice Chairperson of the Greater Cambridge Partnership Executive Board.

The Executive Board ENDORSED the nomination of Heather Richards of Transversal, to fill the vacant seat on the Greater Cambridge Partnership Joint Assembly, as a representative of the business community.

The Executive Board ENDORSED the nomination of Heather Richards of Transversal, to fill the vacant seat on the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) Joint Assembly, as a representative of the business community. Transversal was a company specializing in new generation knowledge management.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

To authorise the Executive Board to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2018 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting of the Executive Board held on 21 March 2018 were confirmed as a correct record of the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting of the Executive Board held on 21 March 2018 were confirmed as a correct record of the meeting.

The Executive Board RECEIVED and responded to public questions under the relevant agenda items.

The Executive Board RECEIVED and responded to public questions under agenda items 9,11 and 13.

The Executive Board RECEIVED an overview report on the discussions from the meeting of the Greater Cambridge Partnership Joint Assembly held on Thursday, 14 June 2018.

The Executive Board received a report from Councillor Tim Wotherspoon, Chairperson of the GCP Joint Assembly, on the discussions which had taken place at its meeting on 14 June 2018. He suggested the GCP should trumpet more loudly what it had achieved to date. He also informed the Executive Board that the retirement of Dr John Wells later in the year, would leave a vacant seat on the Joint Assembly.

The Executive Board Chairperson thanked Councillor Wotherspoon for his report and also thanked Councillor Kevin Price for his work as the former Chairperson of the Joint Assembly.

Update on work to further define the public transport elements of the GCP’s transport strategy.

The Executive Board:

1)    NOTED the work to date on further defining the public transport requirements for the GCP’s transport strategy.

2)    AGREED to progress the detailed work to further develop a prioritised programme of public transport interventions required to meet the objectives of the GCP’s transport strategy.

3)    AGREED to work with the Combined Authority, as the designated public transport authority for the Greater Cambridge area to deliver proposals for securing public transport improvements.

Antony Carpen was invited ask his public question. The details of this and a summary of the response are set out in Appendix A to the minutes.

The GCP Transport Director presented the report which provided an update on the work to further define the public transport elements of the GCP’s transport strategy, and provided a reminder of the range of schemes under development.

The Executive Board discussed the report and made the following points:

·         Members commented that the report was very useful as an evidence base.

·         At paragraph 9.7 the sentence should read ‘…Addenbrooke’s to be reached within 45 minutes from some areas of north Cambridge…’.

·         Councillor Bates informed the Executive Board that he had attended a meeting of the Bus Users Group at which both bus operators were present. He pointed out that bus users came from further afield than the Greater Cambridge area, from areas such as Haverhill, Huntingdon and Royston. He emphasized the need for bus users from these areas to be represented and engaged with in order to capture their views.

·         Referring to paragraph 8.5 of the report, Councillor Bates commented that it would be useful in future to see what the journey figures were regarding trips from the south, such as from Royston and Saffron Walden and from Haverhill.

·         Councillor Van de Weyer commented that he was struck by the information in the report regarding how long it could take to get to Addenbrooke’s Hospital from Cambridge.

The Executive Board:

1)    NOTED the work to date on further defining the public transport requirements for the GCP’s transport strategy.

2)    AGREED to progress the detailed work to further develop a prioritised programme of public transport interventions required to meet the objectives of the GCP’s transport strategy.

3)    AGREED to work with the Combined Authority, as the designated public transport authority for the Greater Cambridge area to deliver proposals for securing public transport improvements.

Full Outline Business Case for options for investment Cambourne to Cambridge.

PAPER WITHDRAWN – Due to pause requested in Mayoral Transport Statement.

Decision deferred to October 2018.

A paper on the A428 Cambourne to Cambridge had been withdrawn from the agenda due to a pause requested in the Mayoral Interim Transport Statement, as agreed at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority meeting on 30 May 2018. This decision was deferred until October 2018.

A paper on the A428 Cambourne to Cambridge had been withdrawn from the agenda due to a pause requested in the Mayoral Interim Transport Statement, as agreed at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority meeting on 30 May 2018. This decision was therefore deferred until October 2018.

The Executive Board was informed that meetings had taken place with the Combined Authority. Councillor Herbert as Interim Chairperson of the Executive Board, had written to the Mayor and a response to this was awaited. The Chairperson emphasised that the GCP wanted to work and engage with the Combined Authority. A letter had been received from the Secretary of State emphasising the need to progress. The GCP was yet to hear anything to suggest that its proposed projects were not aligned with the Mayor’s plans. The GCP recognised that bold and transformative public transport was needed in the Greater Cambridge area. Discussions would continue and it was hoped that any issues could be resolved.

To consider the preferred option preliminary design for Milton Road along with the strategic outline business case as a basis for public consultation to facilitate the final preliminary design and outline business case.

The Executive Board:

1)    AGREED to support the preferred option design shown in Plans 1-3 as a basis for public consultation and further detailed design work, including preparation of the business case.

2)    NOTED the new cost estimate of £16M in capital costs for delivery of this scheme.

3)    AGREED to consider a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) in respect of parking on verges in Milton Road as part of the consultation on the scheme.

Councillor Jocelynne Scutt, Chair of the Milton Road Local Liaison Forum (LLF), was invited to address the Executive Board and made the following points:

·         The Milton Road LLF was generally pleased with the plans coming forward for Milton Road. Councillor Scutt paid tribute to the residents, residents’ associations, the GCP and County Council officers and consultants for their work on the scheme.

·         General appreciation was expressed for the plans and the importance of consultation with local residents was emphasised.

·         Tribute was paid to Cambridge City Council’s tree specialists in relation to the landscaping of Milton Road. Councillor Scutt said that it was clear that their intention was that any trees planted could cope with the conditions and would be properly looked after.

·         The following concerns were raised:

o   Concern regarding crossings; there was a wish for a crossing at Downham’s Lane.

o   The length of bus lanes.

o   Issues with the positioning of bus stops, particularly the bus stop at Union Road.

o   Issues with the style of bus stops, particularly of floating bus stops. Features to ensure the safety of cyclists and those getting on and off the buses needed to be implemented in relation to these. Concern was raised regarding the size of platforms, which had to accommodate wheelchairs.

o   Something should be put in place on the approach to floating bus stops and dual use paths, to alert cyclists that they were approaching an area where there would be pedestrians. A rise in the road was suggested to alert cyclists that they were approaching a floating bus stop.

o   The protection of verges was a concern; the LLF wanted to work closely with GCP officers on residents’ parking.

o   Concern was raised over the dual use stretch of footpath between Gilbert Road and the roundabout, and the dual use of this should be considered during public consultation.

o   Attention needed to be paid at the Gilbert Road corner to where cyclists came around the corner and had the potential to run into people waiting to cross the road. It was important to ensure that cyclists were alerted that they were approaching an area where there were likely to be pedestrians.

o   There was concern about Mitcham’s Corner, which was a key part of Milton Road. It was urged that attention be paid to this.

Erik de Visser, Barbara Taylor, Anne Hamill, Maureen Mace and Richard Cushing were invited to ask their questions. Details of these and a summary of the responses are provided in Appendix A to the minutes.

The GCP Transport Director presented the report, which set out the preferred option design for Milton Road. There were significant improvements to cycling proposed in the plans, including segregated cycle paths, which were balanced with improvements to public transport.  The proposals met the original objectives of the scheme and took into account the considerable public engagement that had taken place. Assurance was provided that there would be grass verges. The Executive Board was informed that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To update on the City Access programme including a detailed intelligent signals review delivery plan and to give approval to consult on demand management principles and measures.

PAPER AMENDED – Update on City Access Programme, including report on future transport requirements.

Decision on demand management principles deferred to October 2018 due to pause requested in Mayoral Transport Statement.

The Executive Board:

1)    NOTED the work to date on the potential options for achieving modal shift through demand management.

2)    AGREED to continue to review the demand management options available to meet the objectives of the GCP’s transport strategy.

3)    AGREED to work with the Combined Authority, as the designated strategic transport authority for the Greater Cambridge area to further review proposals for managing demand.

The GCP Transport Director presented the report which provided an update on work to explore a number of options for reducing traffic and improving air quality in and around Cambridge. He pointed out that the delivery of the options explored in the report was predicated on there being a good public transport network, that offered a viable alternative for people. The projected growth in traffic and need for demand management was highlighted. Potential equity issues were recognised and needed to be understood further.

The Executive Board discussed the report:

·         Professor Allmendinger welcomed the report which provided an important holistic approach linking supply and demand issues. The evidence base was critical in order to inform future decisions.

·         Councillor Van de Weyer was supportive of a comprehensive strategy which managed demand. It was important to ensure that projects carried out in future did not lead to the redundancy of projects delivered sooner. A wider variety of models for charging needed to be looked at.

·         It was queried whether there had been any progress in relation to the pause requested by the Mayor.

·         Councillor Bates referring to the discussion that had taken place at the June Joint Assembly meeting regarding the traffic from schools, suggested that greater emphasis be placed on school traffic and suggested that school heads and governors needed to be worked with on this.

·         Councillor Bates commented that it was essential to sequence issues and from the County Council’s perspective it was felt that other things needed to be done first to improve congestion and air quality, before intelligent charging was introduced.

·         The Chairperson referred to the Mayor’s transport statement which stated that charging should not be imposed before a transformational public transport scheme, such as the CAM Metro, was in place. He would seek clarity on this from the Mayor.

·         The Chairperson commented that each of the charging options should be looked at as well as addressing potential equality issues. Many people had been forced to leave Cambridge as they could not afford to live in the city and these people should not be penalised for then having to travel into the city to work. This needed to be considered. Reliable public transport services were required, with the costs of these capped.

·         The Chairperson pointed out that there had been declining investment in public transport and cuts to bus routes. The range of routes and hours of operation of public transport services should be extended.

·         There was a need to reduce the number of cars at peak times; employers should be involved in discussions on this.

·         Councillor Bates referred to a report which would be presented to the County Council’s Economy and Environment Committee on 12 July. The County Council would continue to support some bus services that had been withdrawn by the bus operators, but this would only be until the end of the current financial year when responsibility for this would pass to the Combined Authority. The County Council was currently investing in excess of £2 million  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To consider the outcomes of initial engagement and approve public consultation on proposals during 2018.

The Executive Board:

1)    NOTED the outcomes of the initial engagement work.

2)    NOTED the schemes currently out to public consultation.

3)    AGREED to support the programme of ‘Quick Wins’ for delivery across the next two years.

James Littlewood of Cambridge Past, Present and Future was invited to ask his public question. The question and a summary of the response are detailed at Appendix A of the minutes.

The GCP Transport Director presented the report and informed the Executive Board that production of a comprehensive map linking existing cycleways to the Greenways Network, was in hand.

The Executive Board:

1)    NOTED the outcomes of the initial engagement work.

2)    NOTED the schemes currently out to public consultation.

3)    AGREED unanimously to support the programme of ‘Quick Wins’ for delivery across the next two years.

Presenting results of public consultation and to note preparation of Outline Business Case.

PAPER AMENDED – Presenting results of public consultation and approval of programme quick wins.

Decision on strategy approach deferred to October 2018 due to pause requested in Mayoral Transport Statement.

The Executive Board:

1)    NOTED the results of the public consultation.

2)    APPROVED the implementation of Phase 1 Quick Wins and the development of other Phase 1 options for delivery from summer 2018.

The GCP Transport Director presented the report which set out the results of the public consultation on the Cambridge South East Transport Study and sought approval for the implementation of Phase 1 Quick Wins and the development of other Phase 1 options for delivery from summer 2018.

The Executive Board was assured that the GCP was in regular contact with representatives from Haverhill. The MP for Haverhill would be kept informed of what was being proposed and the decision on the quick wins.

Tony Orgee, Chair of the Cambridge South East Transport Study LLF, was invited to address the Assembly. He provided an update following the 6^th June meeting of the LLF:

·         There was more support for the proposed interventions than there was opposition. There had been no comments opposing the principle of any of the interventions.

·         There was concern that closure of the central reservation at the Dean Road crossroads would lead to HGVs diverting to unsuitable roads through local villages in order to access the A1307 towards Cambridge.  There were similar views about having no right turn (except for buses) out of Linton High Street with roads that might be used for rat-running such as the Back Road for example, considered completely unsuitable to deal with increased traffic. The LLF therefore welcomed that the Dean Road crossroads proposal would be given further consideration and that the Linton High Street no right turn proposal would be re-evaluated.

·         The LLF wanted further consideration to be given to speed limits along the A1307 and there was much support for a single speed limit outside villages.

·         It was felt that further work would be necessary in relation to safety at the Babraham crossroads and in cycleway access to Granta Park. The consultation included cycleways and a greenway that went close to Granta Park, but with gaps of hundreds of yards to the actual site entrance. The LLF felt that it was important that local councillors and stakeholders should also be involved in the further work on these matters.

·         There was a plea for landscaping to be an integral feature of designs and for ecological matters to be given appropriate consideration.

·         There were particularly adverse comments about the greenway, focussed on a small section of the cycleway between Wandlebury and the roundabout entrance to the Babraham Research Campus. It was felt that this narrow section of cycleway immediately next to the A1307, a 60mph road, did not meet the principles of a greenway and was dangerous for cyclists.

·         The LLF was pleased to see progress and that some interventions could be implemented this financial year. The LLF strongly requested that local councillors and stakeholders were actively involved in working up the details of the interventions.

·         A representative of the Trumpington Residents Association made a statement at the LLF meeting that was strongly critical of the delay in making decisions on the strategies in the consultation.

·         The view of the LLF was that all possible developments in the area should be included in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

To monitor progress across the GCP workstreams including financial monitoring information.

The Executive Board:

1)    NOTED the Communications and Engagement update.

2)    NOTED the update on the West of Cambridge Package – Park & Ride.

3)    AGREED a six month extension to current skills activity at a cost of £80k.

4)    AGREED to support a contribution, with partners, to the provision of enhanced bus services from the Papworth area in to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus site.

5)    AGREED up to £100k of funding to carry out feasibility studies on potential affordable housing schemes on Cambourne High Street and at the Abbey stadium in Cambridge.

The GCP’s Head of Strategy and Programme presented the report which updated the Executive Board on the progress across the GCP programme, GCP Communications and Engagement and the West of Cambridge Package – Park and Ride.

In response to queries raised by Executive Board members in discussing the report, officers clarified the following:

·         The funding types referred to in the report were all encompassing and therefore included Section 106 and the New Homes Bonus.

·         The only impact of the delay on the move of Papworth Hospital to the Biomedical Campus was when the Papworth bus service would start.

·         The majority of recommendations that had come out of the consultation and engagement work, had been actioned. The Head of Communications would provide a report to the Executive Board in September 2018, setting out the progress against each of the recommendations.

The Chairperson thanked those involved in all projects referred to in the report, and thanked the public for their input.

The Executive Board:

1)    NOTED the Communications and Engagement update.

2)    NOTED the update on the West of Cambridge Package – Park & Ride.

3)    Unanimously AGREED a six month extension to current skills activity at a cost of £80k.

4)    Unanimously AGREED to support a contribution, with partners, to the provision of enhanced bus services from the Papworth area in to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus site. The County Council was currently tendering for the bus service.

5)    Unanimously AGREED up to £100k of funding to carry out feasibility studies on potential affordable housing schemes on Cambourne High Street and at the Abbey Stadium in Cambridge.

To note that the next meeting will take place at 4pm on Thursday 11^th October 2018, at South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne.

The Executive Board NOTED that the next meeting would take place on Thursday 11 October 2018 at 4.00pm at South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne

The Executive Board NOTED that the next meeting would take place on Thursday 11 October 2018 at 4.00pm at South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne