§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the commitment required by members of passenger transport authorities in terms of frequency of attendance and hours. [35312]
§ Ms KeebleIt is up to Passenger Transport Authority members to determine the frequency of their meetings and the consequent time commitment required.
§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on recommended methods of selection of local councillors to sit on Passenger Transport Authorities. [35311]
§ Ms KeeblePassenger Transport Authorities (PTAs) are composed of councillors from districts within the PTA area. The members of each council nominate representatives from among their number.
§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the Passenger Transport Authorities' performance in consulting passengers and their representatives about their plans. [35313]
§ Ms KeeblePassenger Transport Authorities are required by the Transport Act 2000 to prepare, in conjunction with the relevant Metropolitan district councils, a joint local transport plan (LTP) for their area.
Our guidance to authorities on LTPs makes clear the importance of participation with both the local community and key stakeholders in the development of the objectives and strategies for the LTP. Our guidance on LTP Annual Progress Reports (APRs) also refers to the need for on-going consultation during the implementation of the LTP. Evidence of authorities' efforts in this respect forms part of our consideration of the overall quality of LTPs and APRs.