Agenda and minutes

1.1 The Chair welcomed everyone to the Committee. There were no apologies.

Carl Sargeant AM – Minister for Local Government and Communities

Frances Duffy – Director of Transport

Tim James – Deputy Director – Networks and Planning

2.1 The Chair welcomed the Minister and his Officials. Members questioned the Minister.

2.2 The Minister agreed to provide a note on the following:

- When appropriate a written update providing details of the Minister’s proposals for freight, and an update on the progress in relation to each of the ‘steps towards delivery’ identified in the Wales Freight Strategy;

- Details of the discussions between the First Minister and UK Government regarding the proposed opportunities for the M4;

- Details of work undertaken to improve north/south links;

- Update the Committee following discussions on the new scheme for bus financing, and provide KPI’s to measure the success of the scheme.

- Provide the Committee with more detail on the basic BSOG rate figures and comparison with England, including a comparison of BSOG rates prior to reduction, and comparison of the new rates in England and Wales once all available additional allowances and rebates are included;

- Provide the Committee with a copy of the work by the Chair of the WCVA on non-emergency hospital transport;

- Provide more information on the delivery and finance of the Walking and Cycling action plan including the success rates and the level of expenditure in connection with the plan;

- Figures showing the achievements of the Sustainable Travel Centres initiative along with details of revenue funding allocated to the Sustainable Travel Towns programme, both historically and over the next 3 years.

Professor Stuart Cole, Wales Transport Research Centre, University of Glamorgan Business School

Martin Evans, University of Glamorgan Business School

3.1 The Chair welcomed Martin Evans and Professor Stuart Cole to the meeting. Members questioned the witnesses.

3.2 The unasked questions would be sent to Professor Cole who agreed to provide a written note.

4.1 The Chair moved a motion under Standing Order 17.42 to resolve to exclude the public for the remainder of the meeting.

4.2 The Committee agreed the motion, and moved into private session.

5.1 The Committee agreed the conduct an inquiry into apprenticeships in Wales and subject to a few amendments agreed the draft terms of reference.  

Note of EU procurement task and finish group on 19 January

View the meeting transcript.