Alan Evans, Director of Regeneration and Place, introduced a report on the Economy Regeneration and Development Committee’s recommendations, from its meeting on 4 March, in respect to the Active Travel Funding – Tranche 1, Tranche 2 and Local Authority Capability Funding.

A supplement to the agenda had been circulated with a correction to the recommendations made by the Committee, which numbered four and not three.

On 9 May 2020 the Secretary of State, Grant?Shapps, had announced a £250 million Emergency Active Travel Fund. For Tranche 1 of the funding, and in line with DfT guidance, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority had identified the need to develop a programme of measures to reduce the dependency on car-based journeys and through segregation provide increased confidence to people wishing to cycle.

The matter was being referred to Policy & Resources Committee because in accordance with the Council’s Constitution any amendment to the Capital Programme requested by a Committee or officer in excess of £100,000 was reserved to Policy and Resources Committee.

The Economy Regeneration and Development Committee was recommending authorisation of the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Director of Resources, to approve the grant funding allocated to Wirral Council by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for the Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 and 2 Programmes and the Local Authority Active Travel Capability Fund Programme.

In response to a Member’s comment, Philip McCourt, Director of Law and Governance, confirmed that in taking account of the Economy Regeneration and Development Committee’s recommendations, the Policy and Resources Committee should not consider itself bound by that Committee’s recommendations or otherwise fetter its discretion and could come to its own decision.

Concern was expressed by a number of Members on the lack of clarity over the responsibilities and terms of reference of both the Economy Regeneration and Development and Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committees with regard to Active Travel schemes. Members also suggested other areas where cross cutting responsibilities across committees could be looked at by the Constitution and Standards Committee, which could also be causing some confusion.

It was moved by Councillor Tom Anderson and seconded by Councillor Jeff Green, that –

“The recommendations be referred back to the Economy Regeneration and Development Committee with a view to adding walking schemes in to Active Travel programmes for the benefit of the Borough.”

The motion was put and lost (5:10)

On a motion by Councillor Elizabeth Grey, seconded by Councillor Tony Jones, it was -

Resolved (unanimously) – That,

(1)  the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to accept the grant funding of £1,153,380 allocated to Wirral Council by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for the Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 and 2 Programmes and accept the Local Authority Active Travel Capability Fund Programme indicative allocation of £286,000;

(2)  the proposed Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 and 2 Programmes and the Active Travel Capability Fund Programme (“the Programmes”) as set out in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the report, be approved;

(3)  the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Chairs and Spokespersons of the Economy, Regeneration and Development and the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committees, be authorised to amend the Programmes if required having due regard to any issues that may arise during design or consultation stages of projects;

(4)  Committee notes that the above authority and approvals are subject to the schemes at the Crescent, and proposed cycle way through Wallasey and New Brighton, being deferred until a consultation process has taken place;

(5)  Committee notes the significant overlap between the terms of reference of the Economy Regeneration and Development Committee and the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee and requests that these committees work jointly with Economy Regeneration and Development Committee leading on active travel issues which affect major regeneration master plan projects and the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee to lead on all other transport, active travel and road safety strategy and schemes. Officers are asked to liaise with the Chairs of both committees on all transport planning to ensure that the work programmes are always agreed;

(6)  Committee asks that the Constitution and Standards Committee consider whether existing provision within the Council’s Constitution with respect to the planning for and implementation of active travel schemes are sufficiently clear and appropriate and if necessary to make recommendations to Council on any necessary changes to the Constitution.