AGENDA ITEM: D1.a
[Min.nos. RSSB.15/24-15/31]
RSSB: MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
07 May 2015
rd
14:15 Parker, 3 Floor, Block 2, Angel Square, 1 Torrens Street, London, EC1V 1NY.
Attendees:
Anna Bradley (AB) Chairman
Chris Fenton (CF) Chief Executive
Alan Emery (AE)
Charles Horton (CH)
Dolores Byrne (DB)
Geoff Spencer (GS)
Jeremy Candfield (JC)
Malcolm Brown (MB)
Paul Kirk (PK)
Steve Murphy (SM)
Apologies:
Anson Jack (AJ)
Observers:
Jane Simpson (JS) Network Rail
Ian Prosser (IP) ORR
Robin Groth (RG) DfT
In attendance:
Elizabeth Fleming (EF) RSSB Secretary
John Abbott (JA) RSSB (Agenda Item A2)
George Bearfield (GB) RSSB (Agenda Item A1)
Eileen Pevreall (EP) RSSB (Agenda Item A1)
Colin Dennis (CD) RSSB (Agenda Item C2)
MINUTES
The chairman welcomed Dolores Byrne and Geoff Spencer to the board and their
first meeting. She also welcomed Jane Simpson as observer for Network Rail.
RSSB.15/24
A1 SMIS+ PROJECT SCOPING FOR APPROVAL
George Bearfield (GB) and Eileen Pevreall (EP) attended for this item.
The circulated paper on the SMIS+ project was taken as read. GB briefly
emphasised the benefits of the project and EP set out the various project Stage
Gates, projected costs and funding options.
The directors considered the various cost ranges for the project and the funding
options that were currently being explored. There was some concern that while it
was clear there would be a funding gap, it was not possible to understand how big
this might be. Paul Kirk (PK) suggested that amortisation of the costs for the project
should be over a 5 rather than a 3 year period and directors agreed that adopting
this policy would reduce any funding gap.
The directors considered the future savings that the system would bring but were
keen to understand where the ‘up front’ cash to do the work would come from.
Caution was advised if this was to come from the companies cash reserves as much
of the cash reserves already had a designation. Therefore any re-designation of
reserves would need to be agreed by the RSSB board. The directors asked that the
next paper to the board would need to clearly set out this information. Other points
to be addressed in the next paper to the board included:
 Targets on what was to be achieved (i.e what would be better) with the new
system
 Information on how the costs of integration/hooking members existing
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

systems into the new system would be borne
Further thoughts on cyber security
Clarity on what formed part of the core system and the optional elements
The directors agreed that communication of the costs and benefits would be key
in any engagement process in the industry.
Having noted and discussed the various funding options that were currently
being explored and providing guidance, the directors resolved to APPROVE
expenditure of {redacted} to complete Stage Gate 2 and move on to Stage Gate
3.
RSSB.15/25
A2 OUTLINE SPAD RISK REDUCTION STRATEGY
John Abbott (JA) and Mike Carr (MC) attended for this item.
The circulated paper which updated the board on progress with development of
the SPAD Strategy and provided an outline of the proposed framework to be
adopted was taken as read.
JA advised that the strategy will comprise three key phases:
 Phase 1: Review of existing management activity, tactical improvement and
good practice
 Phase 2: Next generation of risk mitigation
 Phase 3: Delivering the long term plan
Work had already commenced on Phase 1 and a steering group was being
established to oversee the work. Steve Murphy (SM) COO MTR Crossrail had agreed
to chair this group.
Alan Emery (AE) queried the 10 year timeframe for the strategy and was advised
that this was an accelerated programme but there would be some relevant output
within 2 years.
Jeremy Candfield (JC) queried whether looking at good practice in Phase 1 was
more beneficial that starting with Phase 2 and 3. SM advised that he felt there was
more to get from investigating this area than moving onto the next phase.
In considering the outline strategy the directors suggested that thought be given
to:
 Impact of the ERTMS implementation 10 year plan
 Impact of behaviours and human factors
 Funding and focussing the funding on elements of the strategy that would
have most impact
 What is preventing the spread of current good practice in this area.
SM welcomed the challenge on timing from the board advising that public
perception on this was that it had been addressed some years ago with the
introduction of TPWS, however the trend was currently going in the wrong
direction. The directors were all agreed that the strategy was a hugely important
piece of work.
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Dolores Byrne (DB) asked whether the strategy would have a target or a view on
where the industry would want to be – was back to a reducing trend sufficient? She
also queried whether any international benchmarks were available in this area and
whether the steering group had considered bringing in representatives from other
safety critical industries. SM agreed to consider this. Chris Fenton (CF) confirmed
that there was engagement both with other sectors and internationally but that
RSSB was always open to learning more.
Having discussed the specific questions posed in the paper the directors
resolved to:



RSSB.15/26
ENDORSE the outline framework for the SPAD Risk Reduction
Strategy subject to consideration of the issues raised in discussion
ENDORSE the Chairman of the SPAD Risk Reduction Strategy
Steering Group as Steve Murphy, and the proposed ‘Terms of
Reference’ for the group subject to the issues raised in the
discussion
ENDORSE that an update is provided to the November 2015 RSSB
board meeting.
B1 CHIEF EXECUTIVES REPORT
Taking the circulated paper as read, the chief executive drew the following to the
directors attention:
 The summary safety information in Annex A including the number of SPADs
that occurred in February and March 2015 – 46 in total, 13 of which were
ranked 16-19 and 2 ranked potentially severe at 20+. Paul Kirk (PK) asked
for clarity in future as to whether work related road incidents were included
in the summary statistics
 The recent ISM at which support was given to the development of the Rail
Health and Safety Strategy
 The provision of support to members such as Crossrail in the provision of
comments on the National Technical Rules being developed for the central
operating section of Crossrail
 {redacted}
 The action being taken in the following areas as a result of the output from
the employee survey: Leadership, Career Development and Management
of Change
 The announcement of the retirement of Colin Dennis and departure of
Helen Goodman from RSSB. Mark Phillips to take on responsibility for R&D
from 1 May.
 The move to the new Offices is on target for 26th May 2015.
Alan Emery (AE) queried whether there was an adequate process of approval of all
contracts/projects over £250k. The chairman suggested that this be picked up in
the meeting following the board meeting.
It was unclear to some directors how the safety information in the annex was used
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JA
[Min.nos. RSSB.15/12-15/23]
by RSSB and clarity was requested. Was it provided for information only or used to
drive the company’s future work.
In conclusion CF advised that the CEO report was currently under review in terms
of format and content.
The directors NOTED this report
RSSB.15/27
C1 a) ANNUAL REPORT FROM ISCC and b) ISCC CHAIRMANSHIP AND SUCESSION
PLANNING
The circulated paper reporting on standards related activities carried out by RSSB
over the last 12 months under the auspices of the Industry Standards Coordination
Committee (ISCC) was taken as read. The paper also set out issue 2 of the ISCC
Strategic Plan for Control period 5 for board endorsement.
The directors were content with the activities undertaken. CF asked directors to
note that Mark Phillips wished to engage more with the forward Strategy for ISCC
and would come back to the board with the Standards Strategy later in the year.
The directors NOTED the content of the report
C1 b) ISCC CHAIRMANSHIP AND SUCCESSION PLANNING STRATEGY
CF briefed the directors that ISCC current chairman’s term was ending. A proposal
that Jane Simpson of Network Rail become the new chairman had been put
forward and was supported by ISCC. CF asked the directors to formally note the
excellent work that Tim Gilbert had done as chairman of ISCC for the last 9 years.
The directors SUPPORTED the appointment of Jane Simpson as the next ISCC
chairman and wished to formally record their thanks for Tim Gilbert’s
chairmanship of ISCC over the years.
RSSB.15/28
C2 R&D BUDGET AUTHORISATIONS
Colin Dennis (CD) joined the meeting for this item.
The circulated paper which sought authorisation for a programme of three related
research projects on fatigue was taken as read.
The directors discussed the issue of fatigue and the scope of the projects in front
of them. CD confirmed that the issue of personal responsibility for fatigue (in
personal life) in addition to work related fatigue was within scope. DB suggested
consideration of the development and use of Apps by which individuals could
assess themselves and their fitness for work, in the R&D being undertaken.
The directors resolved to AUTHORISE the budget for the programme of the
three new related R&D projects on fatigue.
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[Min.nos. RSSB.15/12-15/23]
RSSB.15/29
C3 REQUIREMENTS MANAGEMENT DATABASE PROJECT
The Directors noted the circulated paper which sought board endorsement for
additional time and budget for the Requirement Management Database (RMDB)
project.
Malcolm Brown (MB) asked whether RSSB was confident that there would be no
further movement in terms of time and money. CF explained the surrounding
circumstances which led to the current request advising that while not ideal RSSB
was confident that it was the right thing to do.
The directors resolved to ENDORSE the extended timescale by four months.
{redacted}
RSSB.15/30
D1 GOVERNANCE
a) Draft minutes 05 March 2015 meeting
The circulated draft minutes of the board meeting held on 05 March 2015 were
approved for signature by the chairman.
b) Matters arising
All actions were reviewed and it was noted that all were either done or in hand.
c) Forward Agenda
The directors noted the forward agenda.
d) Update from the Remuneration Committee Meeting: 07 May 2015
Redacted
RSSB.15/31
AOB
There being no further items, the chairman concluded the meeting.
Date of next meeting: Thursday 09 July 2015 at 15:00hrs, to be held at Block 2,
Angel Square.
Signed………………………………….. Date……………
Chairman
RSSB Board Meeting 07 May 2015: Final for signing
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