Decision details

West Midlands Rail

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To agree arrangements for participation in the West Midlands Rail Partnership in preparation for potential devolution of the West Midlands rail franchise currently operated by London Midland and managed centrally by the Department for Transport.

Decision:

THAT:

(a)

the council becomes a member of the West Midlands Rail Limited Company, subject to legal agreements being satisfactorily finalised;

 

(b)

authority is delegated to the director of economy, communities and corporate to complete these agreements;

 

(c)

Subject to recommendations A and B, the leader be appointed as a director of the company and the cabinet member transport and roads be appointed as substitute who will be authorised to make decisions in this capacity relating to the strategic direction of the WMRL;

 

(d)

 

 

Subject to recommendations A and B, funding of £13,200 in 2016/17 and £7,464 in 2017/18 be approved as the council’s contribution towards the costs of administering the partnership and developing the case for full devolution of the rail franchise.

 

 

Reasons for the decision:

To ensure that the council can play an active role in the developing proposals for rail franchise devolution for the West Midlands rail service. 

 

Alternative options considered:

Not to join the WMR Ltd. Centro, which has been leading on the franchise devolution proposals has been requested by the Department of Transport to set out its proposed governance arrangements and needs to clarify the views of all the constituent local transport authorities covered by the current West Midlands rail franchise by 4 December 2015. This is not recommended as it would reduce the council’s influence over the refranchising process and any subsequent devolved powers to manage the franchise locally.

Join the partnership at a later stage. This is not recommended as joining the partnership at a later stage would require a 75% supporting vote of existing partners and this could not be guaranteed. 

 

Contact: Steve Burgess, Head of transport and access services Email: sburgess@herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432260968.

Publication date: 03/12/2015

Date of decision: 03/12/2015

Effective from: 09/12/2015