Agenda item

Purpose of the item:The Rethinking Transport project has been set up to fundamentally reimagine transport in Surrey: developing new, sustainable transport and travel options where journeys are wanted or needed, while also thinking about how residents can access communities, employment, health and social care, education and other key services more easily to avoid unnecessary travel.

The Select Committee is asked to,

a)    review the output of the Rethinking Transport discovery engagement;

b)    share its views on current transport arrangements and how we might be able to meet transport and travel demand in more sustainable ways; and

c)    consider how it can support subsequent phases of the Rethinking Transport project.

Declarations of interest:

None

Witnesses:

Simon Griffin, Partnership Lead, Strategic Commissioning

Colin Kemp, Deputy Leader

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    The report was introduced by the Deputy Leader and Partnership Lead whom explained that the rethinking transport project had been set up to fundamentally reimagine transport in Surrey and will contribute to achieving the ambitions of Surrey’s 2030 Vision and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Paul Deach left the meeting at 2pm

2.    The Chairman started with questioning and asked how committed the Deputy Leader was to the fundamental reimagining of transport in Surrey. The Deputy Leader stated that he was committed to rethinking transport and that there would be some quick wins and longer term goals. The Deputy Leader was committed to a high level challenge and was optimistic about what could be achieved. The Chairman queried what these quick wins were. The Deputy Leader stated that he did not want to pre-empt anything and was waiting for IMPOWER to produce their discovery phase report. The Partnership Lead explained that work was still ongoing with partners and a collective decision on short term wins would be concluded in due course.

3.    A Member of the Committee queried if the consultation would be looking at google map data to identify the journeys people were actually undertaking or would be based solely on qualitative data. He further asked if this project would lead to further cuts to bus services in Surrey and would deal with both climate change and air pollution concerns in Surrey. The Deputy Leader assured members that this project was not about cuts to services but more about how we deliver better and more efficient services. The Partnership Lead explained that the service was listening to the views of partners and residents before making any decisions regarding services. It was added that a discovery phase report would be produced within the next few weeks.

4.    Concern was raised around investment required for this project. It was queried if any other councils had undertaken similar projects and who the key partners in this project were. The Deputy Leader recognised that the council was experiencing financial challenges but better use of capital would improve the revenue position. No other councils had undertaken a project on this level. The Partnership Lead explained that there were councils that were doing similar work and looking at specific aspects of the travel system including Leeds, Tees Valley and Hackney. Discussions had also taken place with the business community, Bob Pickles, the two LEPS in Surrey, education settings, district and boroughs, Youth Cabinet and health colleagues. 

5.    A Member of the Committee suggested that rural and urban settings are considered separately as part of this work especially as a number of GP surgeries had been moved out of villages to more urban areas. The Deputy Leader assured the Committee that rural communities would be taken seriously as part of this work. 

6.    The Chairman stated that this was a project worth pursuing as long as the commitment was there to see this through for the next two years. The Chairman asked the Committee if there was any interest from the Committee in reviewing the pilot projects as they progressed and helping form policy initiatives associated with the project. Some Members of the Committee were of the view that a task and finish group showed not be formed on this project until the discovery phase report was ready.

7.    A Committee Member suggested that regular briefing notes on the progress of the project were shared with the Committee. The Deputy Leader agreed to this.

Resolved:  

The Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee,

      I.        support the Rethinking Transport project and will receive an update on the conclusion of the discovery phase in due course,

    II.        agree for the Committee to receive briefings from the Deputy Leader on the progress of the Rethinking Transport project going forward.