Agenda item

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillors Whitaker, Redfern, Newman-Thompson, Scott and Margaret Pattison.

This Council:

a)           Registers its opposition to the Northern and Transpennine Express franchise requirement for driver only trains and the Government’s plans to make driver only trains mandatory.

b)           Expresses its concern at the removal of on board conductors on The Northern and Transpennine routes as well as hundreds of essential rail jobs

c)           Believes that, if implemented, the plan would result in cuts to funding, fare rises, service and timetable cuts and the loss of local rail jobs. .

d)           Also believes that as a result of the loss of skilled jobs, passenger service and passenger safety will be worsened by this plan to remove guards and conductors from services and introduce driver only operated trains.

e)           Notes that these proposals come on top of rail fare hikes and the pre-existing understaffing of many rail stations and the closure of ticket offices, making guards and on board conductors even more essential to passenger safety.

f)            Believes that safeguarding and increasing staffing levels are the most effective way of improving security and passenger safety

g)           Notes that the driver is responsible for safe operation of the train and the on board conductor is responsible for the protection of the passengers.

h)           Notes that currently, guards and on board conductors are fully trained in the operational safety, route knowledge, including safely securing doors, protecting the train and acting in emergencies such as driver incapacity.

An officer briefing note is attached.

The following motion of which notice had been given to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16 was moved by Councillor Whitaker and seconded by Councillor Margaret Pattison:-

“This Council:

a)           Registers its opposition to the Northern and Transpennine Express franchise requirement for driver only trains and the Government’s plans to make driver only trains mandatory.

b)           Expresses its concern at the removal of on board conductors on The Northern and Transpennine routes as well as hundreds of essential rail jobs

c)           Believes that, if implemented, the plan would result in cuts to funding, fare rises, service and timetable cuts and the loss of local rail jobs. .

d)           Also believes that as a result of the loss of skilled jobs, passenger service and passenger safety will be worsened by this plan to remove guards and conductors from services and introduce driver only operated trains.

e)           Notes that these proposals come on top of rail fare hikes and the pre-existing understaffing of many rail stations and the closure of ticket offices, making guards and on board conductors even more essential to passenger safety.

f)            Believes that safeguarding and increasing staffing levels are the most effective way of improving security and passenger safety

g)           Notes that the driver is responsible for safe operation of the train and the on board conductor is responsible for the protection of the passengers.

h)           Notes that currently, guards and on board conductors are fully trained in the operational safety, route knowledge, including safely securing doors, protecting the train and acting in emergencies such as driver incapacity.”

An officer briefing note about procedural matters accompanied the motion.

At the conclusion of a long debate a vote was taken and the motion was carried with 26 Members voting for, 22 against and 1 abstention.

Resolved:-

This Council:

a)           Registers its opposition to the Northern and Transpennine Express franchise requirement for driver only trains and the Government’s plans to make driver only trains mandatory.

b)           Expresses its concern at the removal of on board conductors on The Northern and Transpennine routes as well as hundreds of essential rail jobs

c)           Believes that, if implemented, the plan would result in cuts to funding, fare rises, service and timetable cuts and the loss of local rail jobs. .

d)           Also believes that as a result of the loss of skilled jobs, passenger service and passenger safety will be worsened by this plan to remove guards and conductors from services and introduce driver only operated trains.

e)           Notes that these proposals come on top of rail fare hikes and the pre-existing understaffing of many rail stations and the closure of ticket offices, making guards and on board conductors even more essential to passenger safety.

f)            Believes that safeguarding and increasing staffing levels are the most effective way of improving security and passenger safety

g)           Notes that the driver is responsible for safe operation of the train and the on board conductor is responsible for the protection of the passengers.

h)           Notes that currently, guards and on board conductors are fully trained in the operational safety, route knowledge, including safely securing doors, protecting the train and acting in emergencies such as driver incapacity.