Issue - meetings

To receive a report providing an update on the development of Transport for the South East and the newly formed shadow Sub National Transport Body.

The Committee received a report which provided an update on the development of Transport for the South East, and the newly formed shadow Sub National Transport Body (Item 9 in the Minute Book).

The background to the report was explained and Members noted that the Government had aimed to boost economic growth by establishing Sub National Transport Bodies (STBs) across regions in England.  It was reported that Transport for the North (TfN) had received significant funding from the Department for Transport, and more recently the South East 7 Group had begun to develop plans to establish an STB in the South East.  Members noted that plans to develop a shadow STB had been agreed last year to be known as Transport for the South East (TfSE) and paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3 of the report highlighted the development of this as well as its membership and aims.  The economic importance of the South East region was also noted.

Other key areas of the report were outlined, and Members were taken through the Partnership and Governance Structure of TfSE as set out in section 4 of the report.  The Strategic Priorities of TfSE were set out in section 5 of the report.  It was noted that these aimed to deliver a high quality, sustainable and integrated transport system that improves productivity to grow the South East economy and compete in the global marketplace, works to improve safety, quality of life and access to opportunities and protects and enhances the South East’s unique natural and historic environment. 

Members noted that a Transport Strategy would be developed by TfSE, which would build upon existing evidence, with an aim to publish this in autumn 2019.

Members of the Committee and representatives in attendance, endorsed the collaborative approach and the positive partnership working, and welcomed updates of progress made by TfSE to future meetings of the Committee.

The following decision has been made:

That the Joint Committee notes the emergence of the shadow Sub National Transport Body for the South East; the work to develop a Transport Strategy for the South East; and how this could compliment the work of Solent Transport.