Issue - meetings

Alwen Williams (Chief Executive) to present the report.

There is an acknowledged public interest in openness in relation to the use of public resources and related financial issues. It is also acknowledged that there are occasions, in order to protect the financial interests of public authorities that matters related to commercial information need to be discussed without being publicised. This would be contrary to the wider public interest of securing value for money and the best overall outcome. The elements that have been readctedrepresent a proportionate response To this request while preserving the right of the publication to obtain information about an important regional plan, in accordance with Paragraph 14 od Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To approve the North Wales Regional Transport Plan and supporting documentation for submission by the Corporate Joint Committee to the Welsh Government for approval and publication by the Minister in September 2025.

The report was presented by the Chief Executive of the North Wales CJC and the ARUP consultant.

RESOLVED

To approve the North Wales Regional Transport Plan and supporting documentation for submission by the Corporate Joint Committee to the Welsh Government for approval and publication by the Minister in September 2025.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

As a result of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021, the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee Regulations 2021 transfer the function of developing transport policies in respect of the area of each of its constituent councils to the Corporate Joint Committee. The development and implementation of a Regional Transport Plan is a statutory function exercised by the Corporate Joint Committee through its Sub-committee, supported by the Guidance to Corporate Joint Committees on Regional Transport Plans (Version 2) 2023. Following approval and publication by the Welsh Government, the Regional Transport Plan for the North Wales region will be adopted by the Corporate Joint Committee through its implementation process to deliver a five-year investment programme.

DISCUSSION

It was explained that this draft of the North Wales Regional Transport Plan and supporting appendices was being presented to this Sub-committee to allow its Members to review it and present an informed recommendation for submission by the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee to the Welsh Government for approval by the relevant Minister by September 2025. It was emphasised that the Report and all supplementary appendices submitted as part of this item responded to guidelines presented by the Welsh Government on how Corporate Joint Committees should form and develop Regional Transport Plans.

The Consultation Report submitted as part of the Item was discussed in detail and it was explained that it summarised the responses received during the 12 weeks of public consultation undertaken between 20 January and 14 April 2025. Pride was expressed in that 1684 responses had been received to the consultation during this period. Assurance was given that the responses received had contributed to the Plan, as several of its supplementary appendices had been adapted in accordance with the comments received. It was noted that some of the main adaptations included:

·         North Wales Regional Transport Plan – There was now a commitment to comply with North Wales Network (Transport for Wales) policies, with updates to rail and bus network aspirations. It was noted that a number of schemes were part of this plan and that working with Transport for Wales supported potential future developments such as the development of a fleet of electric trains, a 'pay as you go' system to ensure that public transport was easy to use, and that work was being done to ensure that trains were available more frequently and consistently. It was emphasised that the Plan and the Joint Committee's wider relationship with Transport for Wales was a long-term one with the likelihood that projects would evolve and adapt over time. It was noted that a number of other adaptations had been made to the plan and that some of these included ensuring  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7