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MINUTES of 28
September 2001, Railway Institute, York Yorkshire and The Humber Transport Activists' Roundtable (YHTAR)
1. Present Pam Ashton: CTC (Chairperson) Steve Broadbent: (Minutes Secretary) Brian Witty: YHA/CPRE East Riding Anthony Ross: Hull&ER Rail User Group etc) Dr Jim Burton: CPRE
Y&H Prof David Cove: CPRE Pete Latarche: CTC 2. Apologies for Absence Nic Stoker, Colin Speakman, Anne Robinson, Peter Davies, Phillip Ralph, Ray Wilkes, Chris Marshall (Countryside Agency), Denise Carlo (T2000) 3. Minutes of last meeting This being the first proper GM of YHTAR, there were no minutes to be considered, but the minutes of the AGM were considered informally and there were no matters arising. Similarly, the minutes of the previous GM in January 2001 were reviewed briefly. 4. Chairlady's Report Pam Ashton reviewed the meeting most present had had the previous day with the Countryside Agency and noted our slightly expanded role and the priorities we should set ourselves. Pam also mentioned that she would be meeting Denise Carlo, the T2000 TAR co-ordinator on October 22 in York. 5. Co-ordinator's Report SB reviewed the past few months, including the issue of Newsletter 6 and the generous sponsorship from Arriva. He thanked those who had been so kind as to comment favourably on the publication, and those who had supported him so well.. He also noted that newsletters and minutes were now on our website, www.yhtar.org.uk and that he hoped to attract further sponsorship for the newsletter to allow circulation to NY and ER/S.Humberside officials and councillors. 6. Treasurer's Report Graham Collett tabled the current financial situation which indicates a bank balance of around £400 once some expenses claims being processed were taken into account. It was confirmed that the T2000 work agreement had now been signed and that YHTAR could shortly expect £1000 from T2000, with a further £1500 due before 31.3.02. A further £600 is available for "special projects" and £500 "to influence the RTS" and SB will investigate if and how these sums might be claimed. ACTION: SB It was reported that some 23 members had now formally joined YHTAR by paying their £5 subscriptions and it was agreed to formally review the nature of subscriptions at the next AGM. It was also reported that an informal meeting between SB, Pam Ashton and Colin Speakman had agreed that, with regard to expenses, these would be paid to members attending relevant meetings (eg MMS or T2000 meetings) where the attendee's own organisation could not pay and were there was a definite benefit to YHTAR - such benefit being most clearly expressabble by submitting a short report either on the e-mail network or for the newsletter. Committee members attending committee meetings could claim expenses for travel if they so wished. These two decisions to be discussed and ratified if thought fit at the AGM. Pam Ashton thanked GC and SB for managing the finances and the accounts. 7. Relationship with the Countryside Agency PA reviewed in more depth the previous day's meeting with the CA (the CA funds us through T2000 and we are required to meet with them as a group, at least twice a year). Pam noted that the CA's remit covered only rural areas, and its main remit/priority as essentially "anti road". eg by being involved with MMS and major road scheme developments. They also monitored regional inputs into he various LTPs and sought 'rural proofing' of projects, for which they had issued a check list. The CA also inputs into MMS and government backed road schemes/studies, and sought input from us on locally-promoted schemes that they were not officially aware of. "Non roads" - eg rail, bus, canal, aviation, was a low priority. At the meeting a list of four "new" local road schemes had been discussed - Reighton, Killinghall, Cudworth and one on the A57/M1 near Rotherham, which were about to be put to the government for funding approval. T2000 and the CA had asked for YHTAR information on these projects, and it was agreed to seek this within the available resources. Pete Latarche queried whether such requests, especially at such short notice (the T2000 query is required back in three weeks) could be imposed on us, and it was stated that we could only do what we had the resources and inclination to do, given the collective volunteer nature of the YHTAR. Proposed and agreed that the T2000 request should not divert us from our main tasks but that an e-mail would be circulated around YHTAR asking for input. Action SB Anthony Rae suggested separate e-mail lists be developed by SB for 'roads' specialists etc to ease communication. The letter and details had been received by post by SB, who was to ask T2000 for the letter to be sent by e-mail to aid circulation. 8. Review of MMS, etc 8.1 Anthony Rae reported that the SWYMMS "was moving in the right direction" with such things as road tolls and charging moving ahead of more road building. There was a meeting planned for Leeds Town Hall on 10 October, details from AR tel 01422 845061. On the A66 Safety Study, the consultant's report had been heavily criticised by the CA's reviewer, TPL, and there was a campaign to throw out the report, which calls for full scale dualling of the road. On the HUMMS, Tony Ross and Brian Witty reported that five options had been put forward to a public exhibition which had been well attended, in the previous week. The options included a full northern by-pass of Hull down to more localised 'improvements', and a full GSJ at Melton to replace the set of traffic lights on the A63 just to the east of the end of the M62. Regional Transport Strategy - was about to be published as a part of the Regional Planning Guidance (RPG). 8.2 Rail Review SB briefly summarised the 'coffee table' meeting YHTAR delegates had had with John Grogan, MP for Selby, regarding the trans-pennine rail franchise, and the possible future meetings with the SRA. This important contact had developed from Mr Grogan seeing one of YHTAR's press releases on the topic. 8.3 Cycling etc PA reported there was slow progress with cycle routes. The Countryside Rights of Way Bill was progressing. 9. AOB It was suggested that a seminar or regional conference should be arranged as part of our work agreement/funding. Action - SB to invite ideas. 10. Next meetings Next General Meeting - Saturday 5 January 2002 Next AGM - Saturday 13 April 2002 Both to be held in York at 2.00pm, exact venue tba. SB October 1,
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