West Midlands transport bosses have announced a shake up of the way elected councillors influence the region’s bus, rail and tram networks.
The Passenger Transport Authority, which sets policy and budgets for Centro and monitors the organisation’s performance, is to move towards the modern style of working adopted by most city and borough councils. Current Authority chairman, Cllr Gary Clarke, says replacing the outdated committee structure will make the West Midlands key political body more effective at a time when public transport needs to be top of the national and regional agenda.
Under the proposed new arrangement, the PTA would have a single key committee with lead members getting more involved in policy development. Full meetings of the Authority would appoint the new lead members, then debate the main issues several times a year.
A scrutiny committee would keep a check on the effectiveness of policy and a new network of district-based Transport User Forums are proposed to involve members of the public across the West Midlands.
“In the last year, with a Conservative-Labour coalition at the helm, we have put passengers first, concentrated on getting things done and delivered 100 per cent of the capital programme,” says PTA Chairman Cllr Gary Clarke. “This re-structure is the next logical step to becoming even more effective.”
“The job of keeping the West Midlands moving is both important and urgent. We need the right structure to get the best deal for passengers and the regional economy – and to support our campaign to tackle congestion,” he adds.
Cllr Clarke says his aim is for the PTA to become a more effective lobbying body among the new intake of Westminster MPs and to address the South-East bias of national transport investment. The PTA is an equal partner with local councils in drawing up the Local Transport Plan, a key funding bid to be submitted to Government later this year.
The proposed changes, to be discussed by PTA councillors next week (Monday 23 May), reflect the trend among the seven West Midlands district councils which nominate the elected members of the transport authority. Although these councils have all adopted a Cabinet-style system of working, the PTA plans to retain decision-making by committee – but in a more streamlined form.
In the past, Centro officers have taken the lead in drafting policy reports and then presented them to one of three or more PTA committees for approval. Under the new arrangements there will be a single key committee and a proposed regular policy forum beforehand will give elected members a more hands-on approach at the drafting stage.
“This will cement the already strong working relationship between lead members and Centro officers,” comments PTA vice-chair Cllr Paul Allen.
