UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE
TRANSPORT POLICY SUB-COMMITTEE
7 November 2005
(2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.)
MINUTES
Chair
Present
Apologies
Secretary
In Attendance
Professor Temple, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Resources)
Mr Blackshaw, Ms Harrup, Mr Nightingale, Ms Patel, Dr Rich, Dr Sellens, Mrs
Totman, Mr Wakeman.
Mr Barnard, Mr Mackenzie
Ms Brook, Estate Management Administration Officer
Mr McAuley (substituting for Mr Barnard), Mr Banks (substituting for Mr Mackenzie)
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Noted
This being the first meeting of Sub-Committee, members introduced themselves 01/05
and the Chair outlined Committee’s responsibilities and tasks.
STARRING OF AGENDA ITEMS
Noted
Items 3 and 11 were starred for discussion in addition to those on the agenda. The
unstarred items of the agenda were then deemed to have been received or noted
and approved by Committee as appropriate.
02/05
TERMS OF REFERENCE AND MEMBERSHIP (TPSC/05/01)
Noted
Following the dissolution of Development Committee, Sub-Committee now 02/05
reported to Budget Sub-Committee.
Approved
Membership and Terms of Reference.
03/05
2020 TRAVEL PLAN CLUB REPORT (TPSC/05/02)
Noted
Ms Harrup explained the basis of Colchester2020 and the Travel Plan Club. The 03/05
report covered the activities on behalf of the University since the inception of the
Travel Plan Club.
Chair thank Ms Harrup for her report. Mr Nightingale commended Ms Harrup and 04/05
Ms Brook for their work with First in securing an extension of the zones for the
Unicard.
Action
Ms Brook to send hard copies of the Unicard zones map to the residential
accommodation supervisors and the Post Office manager for distribution purposes.
05/05
Noted
It was noted that not all information issued electronically regarding transport 06/05
issues was being passed on by managers and that the dissemination of such
information required investigation as to the most effective methods of distribution.
Information should also be publicised via Wyvern and the Rabbit.
Action
Dissemination of information to be added as an agenda item for next meeting of
Sub-Committee
07/05
CAR PARKING REGISTRATION & INCOME / CAR PARKING SYSTEM
Noted
Mr Nightingale reported to Sub-Committee that the suppliers of the pay and
display machines had not met the installation deadlines required by the University.
Mr Nightingale wished to thank the Security Office and the Security Manager for
their work in minimising the disruption as a consequence.
08/05
The registration figures for the year thus far in comparison to last year were as
follows:
09/05
Staff
Students
Other*
05/06
1266
1800
86
04/05
1442
1924
165
* emeritus professors, volunteers, non-payroll staff etc.
The student figure for 05/06 was estimated as applications for permits were still
being logged. There would also be registrations throughout the year, however the
figures showed a significant reduction. The total, compared to the last two years
were:
05/06
04/05
03/04
3152
3531
3705
These figures indicated a reduction in registrations each year since the introduction
of increased car parking charges, therefore it was reasonable to conclude the policy
was having an affect in reducing the numbers of vehicles on campus.
Post meeting note – student registrations as at 20/12/2005 were 1600.
10/05
11/05
The income from registration and miscellaneous car parking fees in 2004/2005
12/05
was £127,999. The estimated figures for the coming year were £194,000. The costs
for the coming year - including the acquisition of more sophisticated pay and
display machinery than was originally envisaged - were expected to be of the order
of :
New pay and display system (including Patrol Officer Training)
Long Term Maintenance Transport Improvements
Telematic Signage
CCTV, Salary Brook Underpass
Traffic Control Budget
£149,295
£ 42,000
£ 228
£ 3,563
£20,269
Total
£215,355
No depreciation costs were available yet for the pay and display machines,
however it was clear that the income for this year had already been committed.
However, it was estimated that approximately £120k would be available per
annum for spending on initiatives in future years after meeting recurrent costs.
13/05
Action
Detailed finance report to be available for the next meeting. Registration and Pay
and Display charges to be presented separately and the recurrent costs of the
machines flagged.
14/05
Noted
A query was raised regarding the monitoring of car sharing and the impact on the
reduction of cars on campus. Ms Brook commented that this facility may be
available on request from the University’s Liftshare website. It was noted at the
current time, the Estate Management Administration Officer did not have the time
to monitor the website, nor market it to the University community. It was further
noted that the current provision is computer based, and therefore is not accessible
by a significant number of potential users.
15/05
UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX TRANSPORT STRATEGY (TPSC/05/03)
Noted
Dr Rich reported that it was unlikely that a railway station would be built adjacent
to the Quays in the medium term. Updating of signalling work on the ColchesterClacton line was planned for 2007, and work would commence in conjunction
with this on the upgrading of the Hythe Station. As a campus railway station
would now be a long term objective, in the interim efforts should be concentrated
on promoting better links with the Hythe station.
16/05
The 61 service between Wivenhoe and Mile End did not run on Sundays and this
service was critical for both students and conference guests at the Quays. Some of
the evening services on the 61 route had been withdrawn without notice.
17/05
Action
Ms Harrup and Ms Brook to raise this issue at the next meeting with First.
18/05
Noted
The issue of provision of a cycle path from Tescos to the University was raised.
Mr Nightingale informed members that the Borough Council would be unlikely to
agree to such a provision, but that it could be linked in to the Research Park Master
Plan.
19/05
The adoption of opportunity paths was proposed to improve accessibility to and on
campus. Mr Nightingale emphasised that such paths were not always desirable in
terms of safety and overall access, but indicated that some of those paths on
campus may subsequently be adopted as part of the Research Park Master Plan.
20/05
Sub-Committee requested that the objectives contained within the Transport
Strategy be revised, split between strategic ongoing and review items, and an
appendix containing a list of specific projects, highlighting those with resource and
cost implications. The revised strategy to then be distributed electronically for
approval.
21/05
Ms Brook to issue revised version of the Strategy, including the 2020 Travel Plan
Club Co-ordinator’s list of initiatives, items from the Resourcing for Transport
paper and approved potential projects.
22/05
Action
CAR PARKING REGISTRATION – ANOMALOUS GROUPS TPSC/05/06)
Noted
A number of groupings had made representations to be considered as exceptions to
the visitor pay and display rates. The Talking Newspaper had held discussions
with their volunteers regarding attendance after hours, but this was not possible.
The recommended solution for this group was for their volunteers to pay the
visitors pay and display rates, but that the University would then make a
contribution of £1k per annum to the charity.
23/05
Agreed
Dr Sellens requested that two further groups be added – visiting sports teams and
public members of the Sports Centre, an issue which was concerning the Director
of Sport with regards to the effect this was having on income generation.
Discussion then followed on income generation versus the need to reduce the
demand for car parking.
24/05
(i) the recommendation regarding the Talking Newspaper volunteers and
invigilators for the Academic Section and Learning Partnerships.
25/05
(ii) that all “commercially” supporting anomalous groups should be permitted to
purchase visitor’s permits in advance, via the part of the University to which
they are connected, at a rate of £3 per day and that the Estate Management
Section should negotiate this with other groups where problems arise, such as
with volunteers. This would be reviewed for 2006/2007
26/05
RESOURCING FOR TRANSPORT (PPSC/05/04)
Noted
Mr Nightingale reported that the purpose of the paper was to notify the levels of 27/05
work involved with transport and to offer a pro-active solution. Members
expressed concern regarding the suggested partial funding of the proposed Deputy
Director of Estate Management post from the ring-fenced funding. It was agreed
however, that there was a need for further resourcing, although the solution
presented could not be taken to Budget Sub-Committee due to the current freeze
on recruitment.
Sub-Committee noted the addition of transport to the proposed post of Deputy
Director of Estate Management (Facilities).
28/05
Approved
Approval was given in principle to the appointment of a part-time dedicated post 29/05
for transport.
Noted
Funding from the ring-fenced monies would be considered at a later date.
30/05
PARKING INCOME – LIST OF POTENTIAL PROJECTS (TPSC/05/05)
Noted
To be considered at the next meeting, in light of the revised Transport Strategy. 31/05
Members of Sub-Committee were requested to forward any additional suggestions
to Ms Brook.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None
32/05
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Noted
Thursday 9th February 2006, 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm, in the Vice-Chancellor’s Board 33/05
Room.