Decision details

RESOLVED: That Cabinet ratified the proposed Collaboration Agreement between West Midlands Rail Ltd and the Department for Transport set out in Appendix A of this report in light of the forthcoming replacement of the West Midlands Rail Franchise by a National Rail Contract.

REASONS:

A.    To reflect structural changes in the passenger rail industry involving the replacement of rail franchising by directly-awarded National Rail Contracts.

B.    To ensure the Council is able to influence the management and development of rail services between Northampton and Birmingham through its involvement with West Midlands Rail Ltd.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

A.    There are no obvious alternatives to the approach proposed if joint management of local rail services in the West Midlands is to continue as the Collaboration Agreement needs to reflect the replacement of rail franchising by National Rail Contracts. 

B.    It would be possible for West Northamptonshire Council to resign the membership of WMRL which has been inherited from the County Council, but this would remove a route for influencing the development of rail services for Northampton and Long Buckby

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS DECLARED AND DISPENSATIONS GRANTED: None.