Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) proposing changes to the governance arrangements for transport in Greater Manchester.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the following insofar as they relate to the discharge of non-executive functions:-

(i) The establishment of a new joint transport committee (the Bee Network Committee) of the GMCA, the Mayor and the ten Greater Manchester constituent councils.

(ii) The appointment of members to the Bee Network Committee, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, specifically appointing Councillor Grace Baynham to the Committee and Councillor Mark Roberts as the substitute member.

(iii) The Terms of Reference of the Bee Network Committee as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

(iv) The delegation of the functions of the GMCA as set out in the Terms of Reference to the Bee Network Committee and noted the delegation of Mayoral functions as set out in the Terms of Reference, attached at Appendix 2 of the report.

(v) The delegation of the functions of the Local Authority Constituent Councils as set out in the terms of Reference, attached at Appendix 2 of the report (which for the avoidance of doubt are the same delegations given to the former Transport Committee).

(vi) The Rules of Procedure for the Bee Network Committee as set out in Appendix 3 of the report.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services.

Local control of the GM transport network, and bus franchising in particular, will change the type and number of decisions being made. GM therefore needs to change the make-up of its decision-making bodies so as to ensure GM’s new responsibilities are discharged in an effective and transparent way. This report clarifies how GM intend to do this and requests a member for the committee representing Stockport be agreed.

The Cabinet is recommended to consider the proposed changes to the governance arrangements for transport in Greater Manchester and agree to the following in so far as they relate to the discharge of executive functions, and recommend to the Council Meeting that it approve the same in so far as they relate to non-executive functions:-

(1) Agree to the establishment of a new joint transport committee (the Bee Network Committee) of the GMCA, the Mayor and the ten Greater Manchester constituent councils.

(2) Approve the appointment of members to the Bee Network Committee as set out in Appendix 1 and appoint the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services, and 1 substitute member to the Bee Network Committee.

(3) Approve the Terms of Reference of the Bee Network Committee as set out in Appendix 2.

(4) Note the delegation of the functions of the GMCA as set out in the Terms of Reference to the Bee Network Committee and note the delegation of Mayoral functions as set out in the Terms of Reference, attached at Appendix 2.

(5) Agree the delegation of the functions of the Local Authority Constituent Councils as set out in the terms of Reference, attached at Appendix 2 (which for the avoidance of doubt are the same delegations given to the former Transport Committee).

(6) Approve the Rules of Procedure for the Bee Network Committee as set out in Appendix 3.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk or Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) proposing changes to the governance arrangements for transport in Greater Manchester.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to the following insofar as they relate to the discharge of executive functions:-

(i) The establishment of a new joint transport committee (the Bee Network Committee) of the GMCA, the Mayor and the ten Greater Manchester constituent councils.

(ii) The appointment of members to the Bee Network Committee, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, specifically appointing Councillor Grace Baynham to the Committee and Councillor Mark Roberts as the substitute member.

(iii) The Terms of Reference of the Bee Network Committee as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

(iv) The delegation of the functions of the GMCA as set out in the Terms of Reference to the Bee Network Committee and noted the delegation of Mayoral functions as set out in the Terms of Reference, attached at Appendix 2 of the report.

(v) The delegation of the functions of the Local Authority Constituent Councils as set out in the terms of Reference, attached at Appendix 2 of the report (which for the avoidance of doubt are the same delegations given to the former Transport Committee).

(vi) The Rules of Procedure for the Bee Network Committee as set out in Appendix 3 of the report.

(2) That the Council Meeting be recommended to give approval to the above recommendations insofar as they relate to the discharge of non-executive functions.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

This report provides details of the new Greater Manchester Bee Network Committee which will replace the existing Greater Manchester Transport Committee and sub committees. The creation of Greater Manchester’s (GM’s) integrated transport system, the Bee Network, will require a more coordinated and integrated approach to transport governance, that places accountability to local people at its heart.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

a)    note and comment on the proposals for a new Bee Network Committee; and

b)    support the approval of the proposed recommendations to Cabinet.

Officer contact: Emily Brough at emily.brough@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of the new Greater Manchester Bee Network Committee which would replace the existing Greater Manchester Transport Committee and sub committees. The creation of Greater Manchester’s (GM’s) integrated transport system, the Bee Network, would require a more coordinated and integrated approach to transport governance, which places accountability to local people at its heart.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members expressed concerns that, in combining decision making functions, the proposals might lead to a weakening of the scrutiny function.

·         In response, it was reported that the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services would sit on the Committee as the representative from Stockport and that the first meeting of the Committee was scheduled to take place at the end of July.

·         Members welcomed the more slimmed down, executive approach.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.