Issue - meetings

This report provides brief updates on the South Eastern rail franchise, Gatwick airspace modernisation and Transport for the South East consultation.   

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report provided brief updates on the South Eastern rail franchise, Gatwick airspace modernisation and Transport for the South East (TfSE) consultation.  The latter set out draft proposals for a statutory sub-national transport body (STB) for the South East and outlined the statutory powers and responsibilities TfSE were seeking to help deliver transport outcomes across the region.

Concern was expressed at the amount of representation of district and borough councils across Kent at TfSE board level. However, this was currently under review and it was hoped that stronger representation at a regional tier would secure additional funding for transport and highways projects that would benefit residents in the borough.   The importance of effective engagement with lower tier authorities would be emphasised in the Borough Council’s response to the consultation.  

Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure resolved that:

(1)             the content of the report be noted;

(2)             the establishment of a statutory sub-national transport body (STB) for the South East, as set out in the draft proposal of TfSE, be supported, subject to the concerns raised in paragraph 1.3.5 of the report (summarised above) being submitted as part of the Borough Council’s response to the consultation; and

(3)             the proposed response to TfSE be finalised in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure and submitted by the consultation deadline of 31 July 2019.

Decision Notice D190038MEM

The report provided brief updates on the South Eastern rail franchise, Gatwick airspace modernisation and Transport for the South East (TfSE) consultation.  The latter set out draft proposals for a statutory sub-national transport body (STB) for the South East and outlined the statutory powers and responsibilities TfSE were seeking to help deliver transport outcomes across the region.

Concern was expressed at the amount of representation of district and borough councils across Kent at TfSE board level. However, this was currently under review and it was hoped that stronger representation at a regional tier would secure additional funding for transport and highways projects that would benefit residents in the Borough.  The importance of effective engagement with lower tier authorities would be emphasised in the Borough Council’s response to the consultation.  

Members expressed disappointment that the South Eastern rail franchise was likely to extend further until April 2020 as it created frustration for both the operator and commuters. 

With regard to the Gatwick airspace modernisation a number of points were raised related to air quality and impact of aviation noise.  These were noted for the next round of consultations.

 RECOMMENDED:  That:

(1)             the content of the report be noted;

(2)             the establishment of a statutory sub-national transport body (STB) for the South East, as set out in the draft proposal of TfSE, be supported, subject to the concerns raised in paragraph 1.3.5 of the report (summarised above) being submitted as part of the Borough Council’s response to the consultation; and

(3)             the proposed response to TfSE be finalised in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure and submitted by the consultation deadline of 31 July 2019.