Doug Field introduced himself as the new New Anglia LEP Chair and the new

Chair of the Local Transport Board following Mark Pendlington’s term of office

September.

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

Nova Fairbank updated the Board and stated that the Chamber were happy to

hear that the Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing was awarded funding in

the Autumn Budget. She also said that the Chamber are now helping the local

authorities push for funding for improvements on the A47 Acle Straight and

expected to be published by the end of 2017. The report will not go into detail

as it is high level and focuses on corridors. Highways England are looking at a

long term vision to 2050. The Roads Investment Strategy 1 announced delays

to programmes along the A47 due to programming.

DfT

Karl Murphy informed the Board of the £98m announcement for the Great

Yarmouth Third River Crossing which is to be funded from the local large

Budget. The major road network consultation is expected to be launched

before the end of the year.

Network Rail

Tom Stead explained that the Great Eastern Main Line scheme priorities are

Stead to send out a request of what Network Rail wants to achieve.

Greater Anglia

Jonathan Denby informed the Board that performance during the autumn was

awards. Some trains are getting refurbished now and commuter trains in from

Ipswich South will be fitted with Wi-Fi. The new trains are on schedule and

Greater Anglia received a number of really helpful stakeholder comments.

Greater Anglia have been taking virtual reality headsets to stations for people

to experience the changes. Greater Anglia are also keeping all guards roles

throughout the franchise. External funding pushes suggested enhancements

ahead of the queue.

Chris Soule said it was good to hear that there are improvements underway

on the railway. He enquired as to whether there is work underway looking at

Felixstowe Port

Paul Davey notified the Board that there will be a public enquiry in January on

a diversion on the rail branch line. Looking to improve capacity from 33 to 47

trains by April 2019. The Secretary of State assured the Port that Ely Junction

work will take place in CP6. Richard Taylor explained that the LEP’s money

has saved money in Network Rail which has been beneficial to the scheme.

The Port work is starting in January which will look to create storage facilities.

2019 which looks to secure a continued smooth flow of items. There is also

going to be an enquiry into freight infrastructure and how it is best to be

moved around.

Liftshare

County innovation showcase on Monday.

New Anglia LEP

Doug Field informed the Board that the New Anglia LEP launched the Norfolk

and Suffolk Economic Strategy last month. There is also a £9m call for

Natasha Waller and Martin Collison presented to the Board about potential

funding sources for skills projects and sector skills plans which are being

written to support the Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy. The

presentation is attached to the minutes.

Simon Amor asked if there was any plans to concentrate work on

construction. Natasha explained that a Sector Skills plan on construction has

been produced.

Ali Clabburn explained he was looking to provide training for internal staff.

Martin Collison informed the Board that a number of different groups have

explained that it is difficult for people to find the programmes and initiatives,

they need a stronger voice and the plan will look to pull things together. He

explained that the LEP are looking for groups to take actions forward and

provide any thoughts on the proposed questions.

ACTION: Board members to send Martin/ Natasha any contacts who you

think it would be valuable to consult on the sector skills plan. Please provide

any contacts or answers to the questions by Friday 12

Chris Soule raised concern over the recent announcement that CIBT, the

building industry training centre near King’s Lynn, is looking to move out of

Norfolk. This could potentially have a huge impact on the skills training in the

area.

Natasha explained that the LEP have been in talks with the DWP, councils,

colleges and are in consultation with CIBT to try to mitigate any impact. The

there is work currently underway to support employees who have been out of

work for various reasons and are looking to come back into employment at

the grade they left.

Martin Collison stated that careers and jobs for life have largely gone and that

employees need to retrain two or three times throughout their life. Robotics

and automation are also upcoming challenges in the future jobs may come up

Graeme Mateer updated the Board on the success of two schemes on the

A140 which recently received funding through National Productivity

Investment Funds: Hempnall and Eye Airfield Junctions. Norfolk and Suffolk

County Councils both still intend to push for a strategic study from the A14 to

the A47 so when the major road network is announced the counties would be

ready. The consultation on the major road network is likely to occur by the end

of the year. The roads being suggested in the Rees Jeffreys Report to be

included in the major road network are the A140, A146, A10, A17 and the

A134. Cllr Wilby informed the Board that Hempnall Crossroads has received

Tracy Jessop explained that a lot of work looking at roads was undertaken in

preparation for the devolution deal.

Strategy

The Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy has been published.

David Cumming updated the Board on progress being made around the

Integrated Transport Strategy following a recent workshop in Norwich. Points

Norfolk and Suffolk. Norfolk County Council, Suffolk County Council and the

LEP are now updating the Strategy. The Integrated Transport Strategy is

going to have an Action Plan and both will tie into the LEP Economic Strategy.

The Transport Action Plan is expected to be finished in March 2018. Each

section will identify priorities and asks for Norfolk and Suffolk.

Chris Soule emphasised the need to discuss smaller road issues in the

that work had been undertaken for a long time.

It was agreed that the final draft will be brought back to the next Local

Transport Board in February.

further meeting of the Group on the 21

initial meeting to discuss a strategic transport forum with a commitment to

work together across the east.

David Cumming updated the Board, some work is already underway between

Oxford and Cambridge. Some services in the western section will begin

shortly. There will need to be a new rail line between Cambridge and Bedford

and work is currently underway looking at corridors by Network Rail. There

and out to Ipswich.

Jonathan Denby informed the Board that there is funding from Government to

match local funding to look at Cambridge South, the improvement reduces

disruption and helps facilitate ongoing improvements.

Ali Clabburn explained that looking through the report it shows Ipswich to

London looks congested in terms of seats on page 51. Jonathan Denby stated

he was unclear as to why that was the case as the new trains will have extra

capacity.

The key announcements in the Budget were the Great Yarmouth Third River

Crossing and the Industrial Strategy.