Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 31
31
Not Addressed
Require GBR to enter mayoral partnerships and give weight to MSA local transport plans.
Recommendation
Mechanisms in the Bill comprising the new statutory role for Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) could risk being too subject to goodwill. GBR should be required to enter into mayoral partnerships when requested to do so by an MSA whose request meets certain criteria in line with the Long Term Rail Strategy. MSAs should be statutory consultees on the Long Term Rail Strategy, and GBR should be required to give weight to—not simply have regard to—the Local Transport Plans of MSAs and Passenger Transport Executives. (Recommendation, Paragraph 82)
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with the Committee that the Bill needs to be amended, legislation is not needed to ensure engagement with local leaders on the Long-Term Rail Strategy and the Bill is clear that GBR must have regard to Local Transport Plans of MSAs.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Government notes this recommendation. It is vital that GBR ensures local priorities are a key consideration in decision-making to develop a railway that reflects the priorities of the communities it serves. As the Committee recognises, the Government is committed to strengthening devolution in England, and is progressing that through both this Bill and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. As part of this, we want to see the role of Mayors enhanced by working closely with GBR on local rail priorities recognising the clear benefits this approach can bring to local communities across the country. It is therefore inconceivable that GBR would refuse to work with a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) given the clear advantages this approach can bring, and the Government therefore disagrees with the Committee that the Bill needs to be amended to achieve this. By enabling GBR to enter into arrangements with MSAs, rather than mandating them, the Railways Bill seeks to provide both parties with sufficient flexibility and not undermine GBR’s role as the directing mind. This will allow partnership arrangements that meet the varying ambitions of Mayors to be agreed. Additionally, legislation is not needed to ensure engagement with local leaders on the Long-Term Rail Strategy. The Government has already begun this and is actively feeding in the views of local leaders as the strategy is developed. Finally, the Bill is clear that GBR must have regard to Local Transport Plans of MSAs. Including the word “must” here rather than “may” means GBR cannot ignore these plans and must consider them exercising its statutory functions. This will ensure the plans of local leaders are considered throughout GBR’s work and the Government is confident the amendment suggested in this space would be unnecessary.