Agenda item

A report from the Executive Director Place is attached. (Key decision – reference number 4707)

(Report No.89)

(8.30 – 8.35 pm)

Councillor Guney Dogan (Cabinet Member for Environment) introduced the report of the Executive Director – Place (No.89) providing details of the Enfield Transport Plan that included Enfield’s Third Local Implementation Plan.

NOTED

1.            That the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) was a statutory document setting out how a London borough proposed to implement the London Mayor’s Transport Strategy.

2.            That Members’ attention was drawn to section 6.9 of the Plan outlining the three-year indicative programme of investment. A number of points were highlighted including the wide-ranging cycling and walking programmes; the comments received from stakeholders; the positive outcome of an equality impact assessment; the potential health benefits of the initiatives; and the statutory requirements. It was also noted that the LIP was predominantly concerned with how the Mayor’s Transport Strategy would be delivered on the transport network which the Council manages.

3.            Members were advised in detail of the internal and external stakeholders discussions that had been undertaken - during the period of preparation, over approximately one year. These included detailed discussions that had taken place, and would continue to take place, with Transport for London (TfL). Comments received during consultation had been incorporated as far as possible.

4.            Members discussed the importance of good infrastructure in the Borough and noted the challenges which existed in the Borough regarding bus networks and the number of trains per hour. A highlighted matter of concern was access to hospitals by public transport; an example of such was reaching Chase Farm hospital from Oakwood. Members were advised that some of the issues raised were outside the scope of the LIP. However, such issues had been raised with the Deputy Mayor of London by the Leader of the Council and discussions would continue with TfL as appropriate.

5.            In looking ahead, it would be necessary to consider innovative ways to provide the public transport services required within the limited resources available. It was noted that a review of bus services in Inner London was currently being undertaken. Members felt that the Council needed to be proactive in its proposals and consider the journeys that residents needed to make in the Borough by public transport and, seek to address any significant gaps in current provision. Councillor Caliskan raised the possibility of presenting joint plans with other neighbouring boroughs. Councillor Anderson stated that the Public Transport Consultative Group, which he chairs, would continue to consider and make comments on public transport provision within the Borough. Members stated that, despite ongoing issues with resources and funding, the Council needed to be rigorous and challenging in presenting the requirements of the Borough to TfL and the Mayor of London.

6.            The Council would continue to lobby appropriately and consider how to respond to issues including: changes in the location of health services provision for local residents; the night-time economy; safety in travel and; electric vehicle charging, particularly in relation to licenced taxis. Officers noted the comments which had been made and indicated that they would inform the final version of the LIP, as well as future work programmes.

Alternative Options Considered: The Council has a statutory duty to prepare a Local Implementation Plan (LIP) and the form and content of the document were specified in detailed guidance prepared by TfL. There were therefore very limited alternative options in terms of the need for and basic structure of the LIP3. However, there was some flexibility for the Council to develop programmes that meet its own transport priorities, providing that they also help with the implementation of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to

1.         Approve the draft of the Enfield Transport Plan that included Enfield’s Third Local Implementation Plan (detailed in Appendix A of the report).

2.         Approve delegation to the Cabinet Member for Environment to:

(a)  Finalise the consultation draft of the Local Implementation Plan for submission to Transport for London and other statutory consultees by 2 November 2018.

(b)  Finalise the final version of the Local Implementation Plan following consideration of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and both the statutory and non-statutory consultation responses received. Final version to be submitted for Mayoral approval by 15 February 2019.

3.         Note that a borough may revise its Local Implementation Plan at any time if it considers it appropriate, although this was likely only to happen in response to a significant change in local circumstances.

Reasons: To quality for the annual transport grants, which Enfield would benefit from to the order of £2.5+ million each year. To seek the necessary approvals that would enable the Council’s Borough Annual Spending Submission to be submitted to TfL. There was an obligation imposed by legislation to prepare a LIP. Even if a borough received no TfL funding, there was still a requirement to produce a LIP.

(Key decision – reference number 4707)