To consider the following Motion deferred from the Council meeting held on 20 January 2015:

This Council welcomes the Government’s announcement on 9 December 2015 that the new Northern and TransPennine Express Franchises have been awarded, in a massive boost to rail services bringing the Northern Powerhouse to life.

Council further welcomes the news that the franchises will make a real difference to passengers bringing benefits including:

·             The introduction of 500 brand new carriages

·             Removal of the outdated and unpopular Pacer trains across the North

·             Space for over 40,000 more passengers at the busiest of times

·             Thousands of extra services a week

·             Roll out of free Wi-Fi on trains and at stations

·             Over £55 million invested in station improvements, including new ticket machines and the introduction of staffing at 45 currently unstaffed stations

·             Improving compensation arrangements, including automatic compensation for delays for registered season and advanced purchase tickets.

The Council is pleased by the decision that the franchises will be jointly managed in the North, from Leeds, by the Department for Transport and Rail North Limited - which represents 29 Local Authorities across the North. This shows the Government’s continued commitment to devolution and to closing the economic gap between the North and South. The new franchises are expected to create jobs, opportunity and growth and – coupled with electrifying the vital trans-Pennine route – will help our region realise its full economic potential by ensuring it has a modern, 21^st Century transport system.

Council notes that the award of the new rail franchises has been roundly welcomed by business organisations and others including the Confederation of British Industry, Manchester Airport and UK Trade and Investment as well as by the Institute for Public Policy Research North.

Council therefore fully supports the award of the rail franchises and resolves to continue to make the case for the provision of a world class rail service across the North and the contribution this can make to rebalancing the UK economy, with Greater Manchester at the heart of a Northern Powerhouse.

(Note: Councillor Dagnall declared a personal interest in this item as her husband was employed by Northern Rail and remained in the meeting during consideration of the matter.)

Further to Minute No. 67 of the meeting held on 20 January 2016, it was moved and seconded that:

“This Council welcomes the Government’s announcement on 9 December 2015 that the new Northern and TransPennine Express Franchises have been awarded, in a massive boost to rail services bringing the Northern Powerhouse to life.

Council further welcomes the news that the franchises will make a real difference to passengers bringing benefits including:

·              The introduction of 500 brand new carriages

·              Removal of the outdated and unpopular Pacer trains across the North

·              Space for over 40,000 more passengers at the busiest of times

·              Thousands of extra services a week

·              Roll out of free Wi-Fi on trains and at stations

·              Over £55 million invested in station improvements, including new ticket machines and the introduction of staffing at 45 currently unstaffed stations

·              Improving compensation arrangements, including automatic compensation for delays for registered season and advanced purchase tickets.

The Council is pleased by the decision that the franchises will be jointly managed in the North, from Leeds, by the Department for Transport and Rail North Limited - which represents 29 Local Authorities across the North. This shows the Government’s continued commitment to devolution and to closing the economic gap between the North and South. The new franchises are expected to create jobs, opportunity and growth and – coupled with electrifying the vital trans-Pennine route – will help our region realise its full economic potential by ensuring it has a modern, 21^st Century transport system.

Council notes that the award of the new rail franchises has been roundly welcomed by business organisations and others including the Confederation of British Industry, Manchester Airport and UK Trade and Investment as well as by the Institute for Public Policy Research North.

Council therefore fully supports the award of the rail franchises and resolves to continue to make the case for the provision of a world class rail service across the North and the contribution this can make to rebalancing the UK economy, with Greater Manchester at the heart of a Northern Powerhouse.”

Following a debate on the matter, the Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

RESOLVED: That this Council welcomes the Government’s announcement on 9 December 2015 that the new Northern and TransPennine Express Franchises have been awarded, in a massive boost to rail services bringing the Northern Powerhouse to life.

Council further welcomes the news that the franchises will make a real difference to passengers bringing benefits including:

·              The introduction of 500 brand new carriages

·              Removal of the outdated and unpopular Pacer trains across the North

·              Space for over 40,000 more passengers at the busiest of times

·              Thousands of extra services a week

·              Roll out of free Wi-Fi on trains and at stations

·              Over £55 million invested in station improvements, including new ticket machines and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78

This Council welcomes the Government’s announcement on 9 December 2015 that the new Northern and TransPennine Express Franchises have been awarded, in a massive boost to rail services bringing the Northern Powerhouse to life.

Council further welcomes the news that the franchises will make a real difference to passengers bringing benefits including:

·             The introduction of 500 brand new carriages

·             Removal of the outdated and unpopular Pacer trains across the North

·             Space for over 40,000 more passengers at the busiest of times

·             Thousands of extra services a week

·             Roll out of free Wi-Fi on trains and at stations

·             Over £55 million invested in station improvements, including new ticket machines and the introduction of staffing at 45 currently unstaffed stations

·             Improving compensation arrangements, including automatic compensation for delays for registered season and advanced purchase tickets.

The Council is pleased by the decision that the franchises will be jointly managed in the North, from Leeds, by the Department for Transport and Rail North Limited - which represents 29 Local Authorities across the North. This shows the Government’s continued commitment to devolution and to closing the economic gap between the North and South. The new franchises are expected to create jobs, opportunity and growth and – coupled with electrifying the vital trans-Pennine route – will help our region realise its full economic potential by ensuring it has a modern, 21^st Century transport system.

Council notes that the award of the new rail franchises has been roundly welcomed by business organisations and others including the Confederation of British Industry, Manchester Airport and UK Trade and Investment as well as by the Institute for Public Policy Research North.

Council therefore fully supports the award of the rail franchises and resolves to continue to make the case for the provision of a world class rail service across the North and the contribution this can make to rebalancing the UK economy, with Greater Manchester at the heart of a Northern Powerhouse.

RESOLVED: That, the time being 9.30 p.m., consideration of this Motion be deferred to the Council meeting scheduled to be held on 23 March 2016.