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MINUTES of the
General Meeting held on 5 January 2002 at the Railway
Institute, Queen Street, York, commencing at 2.00pm Present: 2. Apologies: 3. Minutes of Last
Meeting 4. Chairman's Report Colin looked at the way our role was subtly changing, with more emphasis being put on involvement with road-based studies such as MMS, and the fact that we are founded on information exchange and co-ordination. Pam Ashton (who, subject to ratification at the AGM will take over from Colin at that meeting) reviewed the meeting she had had with Denise Carlo, the T2000 TAR co-ordinator in October. Pam tabled a report on this meeting (which had already been e-mailed to all members who are on e-mail) Pam had also attended the Quarterly TAR meeting in London on 4 December, and tabled a report on this, and also on the West Yorkshire LTP Review Meeting, both of which, again, have been e-mailed to members and are available as hard copy on request to the co-ordinator. Pam also tabled a "Reporting pro-forma" as a simple way of exchanging information on meetings attended for the benefit of all. Again it was stressed that while YHTAR encourages members to attend relevant meetings by paying their travel expenses (if they are not payable by the attendee's main campaigning body) no payment can be made without a report being made, through the co-ordinator or via the e-mail group. There was discussion about our future involvement with the Regional Transport Strategy, and AR advised PA that we should get into the process for the next round by contacting Chris Martin and the RDA.
5. Co-ordinator's Report SB reported the publication of the latest newsletter with its increased circulation, now 300. He also briefly outlined his work in campaigning for a sensible solution to the forthcoming TransPennine Express rail franchise, where he, and a number of other members had met with MPs and the SRA in London in October. This had led to SB issuing a 10-page TPE report, and to him being invited to speak at a T2000 TPE Forum to be held later in January. Peter Davies and Roger Bastin also commented on the TPE process from their experiences, all commenting that the present process was very worrying. SB also commented on the low level of input there is into the information exchange network by many members, and asked that more contributions were made by more people more often.
6. Treasurer's Report Graham Collett tabled the current financial situation which indicates a bank balance of around £1550, with a further £1500 due before April. SB noted that the cost of the newsletter, which now goes in bulk to T2000WY members, is £140 net of sponsorship. Anyone wishing to receive more than one copy of future issues, for passing to their own group members, officials etc., should advise SB. SB also noted the new format of the Quarterly Report which we have to furnish to T2000 for passing to the CA, and circulated paper copies (again the template had been issued by e-mail) and asked for contributions to the report which had to be submitted the following day.
7. Other reports The delegates from YDPTUG (Yorkshire Dales Passenger Transport User Group) noted the need for better bus services in the Dales and the reluctance of the authorities to support them, often on the basis that tourists arriving by bus do not benefit the local communities. This led to a further discussion, see below. There was also a discussion on "Bike to Work" week, where it was agreed YHTAR would have a contribution to make prior to the campaign (15-23 June).
8. Review of MMS, etc It was reported that the SWYMMS was due to be completed in April/May - it was thought that it would conclude that road building would not solve the problems, and that it would suggest a move towards road pricing, but only in the longer term. On HUMMS, there was no specific progress to report, although options including pubic transport were now more favoured, it was thought, as a major tunnel for the road seems unfeasible. The A66 Safety Study is to be submitted shortly to the three regional bodies, and it was hoped they would turn down the proposal to dual the road. On rail, SB reviewed the TPE situation more fully, and Peter Davies commented on his (Railfuture) meeting with the SRA before Christmas which had again pushed for sense to be brought to the process. Peter's report indicated TPE would cover only the very core of the presently-branded network, with the Calder Valley route suffering especially. Roger Bastin also commented on the situation from his perspective, which concurred with the others' views. PA noted the evidence being taken by the House of Commons transport Select Committee on Slower Speeds.
9. Seminars SB had asked for ideas for seminars which groups could arrange and thus make use of the £600 available to us for such events. No group felt it had the resources to undertake this, and the discussion turned to the possibility of YHTAR as a whole organising one. CS suggested holding a half day seminar on the morning of our AGM, and PA suggested the title "Rural Transport, can it be sustainable transport?", which ideas were adopted. CS, PA, SB and Ray Wilkes to form a sub-committee to progress.
10. AOB SB noted the need to discuss and agree the nature of membership subscriptions at the AGM, and asked for contributions to the next newsletter, deadline end-February. PA passed SB a copy of the 2002/2003 work programme, and indicated there was nothing in it to cause us concern. Funding from the CA for TARs is likely to cease after next year.
11. Next meeting Next AGM - Saturday 13 April 2002 (subject to conformation, with a seminar to be held in the morning prior).
SRB 6 January 2002 |