Issue - meetings

Claire Incledon (Deputy Monitoring Officer) to present the report.

·       To agree on the Forward Work Plan.

·       To confirm that the Chair may amend the Plan to consider changes in work timetables, subject to bringing the Plan to a follow-up meeting of the Sub-committee to be agreed on.

The report was submitted by the Deputy Monitoring Officer.

RESOLVED

·       To agree on the Forward Work Plan.

·       To confirm that the Chair may amend the Plan to consider changes in work timetables, subject to bringing the Plan to a follow-up meeting of the Sub-committee to be agreed on.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

The Forward Work Plan notes a calendar of meetings for the period until December 2025, and it complies with the Welsh Government's timetables as required, and with the meeting dates for the CJC.

DISCUSSION

Members were guided through the Sub-committee's Forward Work Plan, explaining that it outlined the items that would be presented to the Sub-committee over the next year. It was explained that this Forward Work Programme considered the need to receive the Sub-committee’s approval on several Reports while also taking into account possible changes to timetables. It was added that the Forward Work Plan had been drawn up with the timetable of the Welsh Government and the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee in mind.

It was confirmed that this Forward Plan was not finalised, and additional meetings may be held to meet unpredictable needs.

The possibility of holding Sub-committee meetings as hybrid meetings was considered.

To review the Terms of Reference for the Strategic Transport Sub-committee

To adopt the Terms of Reference.

The report was -presented by the Deputy Monitoring Officer.

RESOLVED

To adopt the Terms of Reference.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

The Sub-committee must implement those rules and procedures as adopted by the CJC and set out in the Terms of Reference - these were the powers delegated to the Sub-committee. Any amendment to these terms must be approved by the CJC.

DISCUSSION

It was reported that the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee established the Strategic Transport Sub-committee to carry out the function of developing and producing a Regional Transport Plan and related policies.

It was confirmed that the role of this Sub-committee was to develop regional policies in collaboration with Local Authorities and partners. It was noted that this Sub-Committee provided strategic advice to the Corporate Joint Committee in the development and adoption of a Regional Transport Plan.

Members were guided through the Terms of Reference and the relevant legislation was referred to such as Section 109 of the Transport Act 2000, the Corporate Joint Committee (Transport Functions) (Wales) Regulations and Part 5 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.

It was explained that there were nine main aspects to the role of this Sub-committee, and details of the key roles were given, namely:

·       To make recommendations to the Corporate Joint Committee on the approval and review of a Regional Transport Plan and submit this to the Welsh Ministers for approval.

·       To make recommendations to the Corporate Joint Committee on the policies to be implemented by the local transport authorities in their area regarding the Transport Strategy for Wales.

·       Give advice and make recommendations on an integrated and connected strategic transport service in the North, by monitoring and reviewing a Regional Transport Plan.

It was emphasised that the role of the Sub-committee was strategic in nature, as it co-ordinated the activity of Local Authorities and other partners so that a strategic regional approach would be in place in the relevant policy area.

It was noted that the Sub-committee had responsibilities to manage projects and programmes. It was explained that this role would be achieved by co-ordinating, planning and developing the relevant project Programmes and making recommendations to the Corporate Joint Committee. The responsibility to monitor and review the level and use of resources including staff was explained and any recommendations would be referred to the Corporate Joint Committee.

It was advised that the Strategic Transport [EW1] Sub-committee would prepare a quarterly report on its work to the Corporate Joint Committee. It was explained that these reports needed to include:

·       Progress on the implementation of the RTP including individual Programmes and Projects.

·       Financial Performance of the Committee

·       Upcoming developments