Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are required to notify any substitutions by midday the day of the meeting.

Late substitutions will not be accepted and Members attending as a substitute without having given the due notice will not be able to take part in the meeting.

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillors Ian Mantle, David Levett, and Ian Moody.

Audio recording – 2 minutes 36 seconds

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillors Ian Mantle, David Levett, and Ian Moody.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Panel on Community held on 18 October 2022.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 18 October 2022 were approved as a true record of proceedings.

Audio recording – 3 minutes 02 seconds

Councillor Sam Collins, as Chair proposed and Councillor Ruth Brown seconded and it was:

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 18 October 2022 were approved as a true record of proceedings.

Members are reminded that any declarations of interest in respect of any business set out of the agenda, should be declared as either a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or Declarable Interest and are required to notify the Chair of the nature of any interest declared at the commencement of the relevant item on the agenda. Members declaring a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest must withdraw from the meeting for the duration of the item. Members declaring a Declarable Interest, wishing to exercise a ‘Councillor Speaking Right’, must declare this at the same time as the interest, move to the public area before speaking to the item and then must leave the room before the debate and vote.

(1)   The Chair welcomed Members, officers and public organisations to the meeting of the Cabinet Panel on Transport. The Chair informed the Panel that each meeting will focus on a particular theme. This meeting we would be hearing from the Patrick Ladbury from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and from Councillor Ruth Brown (North Herts Council) giving an update on Hitchin Station Eastern Entrance.

(2)   The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council policy, this meeting would be audio recorded as well as filmed. The audio recordings would be available to view on Mod.Gov and the film recording via the North Herts Council YouTube Channel.

(3)   Members were reminded to make declarations of interest before an item, the detailed reminder about this and speaking rights was set out under Chair’s Announcements on the agenda.

Audio recording – 3 minutes 30 seconds

(1)   The Chair welcomed Members, officers and public organisations to the meeting of the Cabinet Panel on Transport. The Chair informed the Panel that each meeting will focus on a particular theme. This meeting we would be hearing from the Patrick Ladbury from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and from Councillor Ruth Brown (North Herts Council) giving an update on Hitchin Station Eastern Entrance.

(2)   The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council policy, this meeting would be audio recorded as well as filmed. The audio recordings would be available to view on Mod.Gov and the film recording via the North Herts Council YouTube Channel.

(3)   Members were reminded to make declarations of interest before an item, the detailed reminder about this and speaking rights was set out under Chair’s Announcements on the agenda.

Members should notify the Chair of other business which they wish to be discussed at the end of either Part I or Part II business set out in the agenda. They must state the circumstances which they consider justify the business being considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chair will decide whether any item(s) will be considered.

There was no other business notified. 

Audio recording – 4 minutes 17 seconds

There was no other business notified. 

To receive any petitions, comments and questions from the public.

The Chair advised that there would be an opportunity for public to ask questions and make comments following the presentations from Patrick Ladbury and Councillor Ruth Brown.  

Audio recording – 4 minutes 25 seconds

The Chair advised that there would be an opportunity for public to ask questions and make comments following the presentations from Patrick Ladbury and Councillor Ruth Brown. 

To receive an update from Patrick Ladbury, from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), regarding:

·         The current service and performance in the area, with a particular focus on recovery from industrial action and other service interruptions.

·         The current financial state of the rail industry, taking into effect current strike action.

·         The restoration of service frequency at Knebworth station.

·         The Access For All funding bids made for Baldock and Knebworth stations.

Patrick Ladbury, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), provided an update regarding the current service levels and performance of the railways in North Herts, including the impact of ongoing strike action. He also provided updates on stations in North Herts.

Audio Recording – 4 minutes 47 seconds

Patrick Ladbury from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) gave a visual presentation and highlighted the following points:

·       The Franchise had been extended from April this year for a further three years, with a possibility of a three-year extension after that.

·       He covered the service for the year looking punctuality and reliability.

·       Issues / cancellations earlier in the year were due mainly to driver availability, trespass and suicide, and problems with the infrastructure due to the weather.

·       Passenger numbers for 2022 were approximately 72% of pre-covid passenger numbers.

·       Timetable changes, and how to do that to reflect the numbers travelling.

·       East Coast mainline timetable – Knebworth services.

·       East Coast Digital programme – bring better reliability / services.

·       Royston Station – a new footbridge is being built with lifts.

·       Access updates – waiting to hear about additional funding.

·       Hitchin Eastern Entrance – looking for funding for a feasibility study.

The following Members, officers and members of the public asked questions and took part in a discussion:

·       Councillor Roger Willcocks – Knebworth Parish Council

·       Councillor Paul Ward – Knebworth Parish Council

·       Councillor Sean Nolan – North Herts Council

·       Councillor Ian Albert – North Herts Council

·       Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg – North Herts Council

·       Councillor Sam Collins – North Herts Council

·       Councillor Mike Harrison – Royston Town Council

·       Anna Howarth – Knebworth Rail Users Group

·       Councillor Ruth Brown – North Herts Council

In response to questions Patrick Ladbury (GTR) advised:

·       Finsbury Park had a rest break area for drivers, there was also interaction with other trains which can cause delays.

·       GTR had 2.2 drivers for every job, which was the industry standard.  They were recruiting more drivers due to the training taking place for the Digital Programme.

·       Patrick said he had not heard of any new strike dates, but the unions would need to provide two to three weeks-notice for strikes.

·       When Network Rail go on strike this includes the signallers, which has an impact on the trains.

·       Regarding the East Coast mainline timetable for Knebworth, Patrick hoped to have an update after the 19 January.

·       In the next control period (starting April 2024) we will find out which stations will get funding.  The announcement of the funding will be made in during 2023.

·       GTR would welcome a transport hub at Royston, Patrick Ladbury also mentioned it would be helpful to have just one ticket for buses and trains.

·       Patrick Ladbury was aware of the issue with the Royston announcements and will speak to residents to monitor the loudness.

·       A weekend services go back to affordability and passenger numbers. 

·       A Flexi season ticket was introduced during Covid and this goes across the whole system.  It is more likely changes will be made to that, rather than carnet tickets being re-introduced.

·       The initial East Coast signalling update would first go to Peterborough and then Cambridge later.

·       The reason for the closure of the Railway car park in Letchworth was because electric car charging points were being installed.

·       Peak services were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

To receive an update on the eastern entrance at Hitchin Station.

Councillor Ruth Brown provided a verbal update on the Hitchin Station Eastern Entrance project.

Audio Recording – 62 minutes 55 seconds

Councillor Ruth Brown presented an update on Hitchin Station’s Eastern Entrance and highlighted the following key points:

·       Work had been going on in the background.

·       The Council did apply for money via the Government Levelling up fund but couldn’t justify the operational costs.

·       Councillor Brown thanked the officers who have been trying to prepare a bid.

·       There was also an issue with the ownership of the land.

·       Councillor Brown said that we were still keen to progress the project and were widening the scope to improve the East / West Access in Hitchin to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists, so that we will be ready when further funding becomes available.

·       Subject to resources and availability of funds Councillor Ruth Brown said she was committed to the project.

Councillor Sam Collins thank Councillor Ruth Brown for her update.

The following Members, officers and members of public participated in a discussion:

·       Councillor Keith Hoskins

·       Councillor Ian Albert

·       Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg

Points raised in the debate included:

·       It was agreed this is part of a wider issue, not only to give access to the station but to make pedestrians and cyclists safer.

·       It was noted that during the last round of bids, GTR were not present, and it would be helpful to have their representation on the project. Patrick Ladbury confirmed they would be happy to be involved.

·       There was a need to work in partnership with Herts County Council / Govia Thameslink Railway and Network Rail for this project.

The Chair to lead a discussion with Members, Officers and the public present on topics raised at the meeting and potential action points to be noted.

The Chair led a discussion amongst Members, Officers and public present on the topics detailed in the presentations received.

Audio Recording – 80 minutes 33 seconds

The Chair led a discussion and Cllr Brown requested any actions raised during the meeting to be added to the Action Tracker.

The following actions were raised during the meeting:

·       Patrick Ladbury to contact Councillors Roger Willcocks and Mandi Tandi and arrange a meeting at Knebworth, with Councillors Ruth Brown and Sam Collins to be copied into this arrangement.

·       Patrick Ladbury to put Councillor Mike Harrison in touch with someone from Network Rail regarding the idea of a transport hub in Royston.

·       Patrick Ladbury to put in a request for Knebworth Fast Trains – copy in Councillors Collins and Brown with the request.

·       Patrick Ladbury to speak to Royston residents regarding loudness of station announcements.

·       Patrick Ladbury to forward a booklet that explains projects / timetables to Councillor Nolan.

·       Patrick Ladbury to share any suicide details with Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, also the Suicide Prevention Training that GTR staff receive.

To record any actions arising from the Group Discussion for inclusion in the Panel’s Work Programme for 2022/23.

The Chair led a discussion between Members, officers and public organisations to identify agenda items for future meetings.

Audio Recording – 87 minutes 50 seconds

The Chair led a discussion between Members, Officers and public organisations to identify additional agenda items for future meetings.

It was suggested that Bus Transport, particularly in rural areas, to added to the suggestions from the previous minutes.