Agenda item

To consider the following Motion, written notice of which has been given by Councillor Neil Gethin and Seconded by Councillor Lani-Mae Ball, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1:-

“This Council:-

 

•        registers its opposition to the Arriva North franchise requirement for driver only trains, and the Government’s plans to make driver only trains mandatory;

 

•        supports the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’) campaign to protect on-board conductors on the (Arriva North) routes and hundreds of essential rail jobs;

 

•        believes that, if implemented, the plan would result in cuts to funding, fare rises, service and timetable cuts and the loss of hundreds of essential rail jobs;

 

•        also believes that in addition to 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-Operation;

 

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

 

•        believes that protecting and increasing staffing levels are the most effective way of improving security and passenger safety;

 

•        notes that the driver is responsible for safe operation of the train and the on-board conductor for the protection of passengers;

 

•        notes that currently, guards and on-board conductors are fully trained in operational safety, route knowledge, including safely securing doors, protecting the train and acting in emergencies such as driver incapacity;

 

•        believes that these types of cuts to rail services particularly have an impact on disabled, older and women passengers, and go against the wishes of passengers who value proper staffing of trains and stations; and

 

•        urges the Government and Rail North to protect passengers and the communities who rely on these rail services by withdrawing these proposals and instead hold meaningful consultations to deliver properly funded, properly staffed and affordable railways in the North.”

Minutes:

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Neil Gethin and Seconded by Councillor Lani-Mae Ball:-

 

“This Council:-

 

•      registers its opposition to the Arriva North franchise requirement for driver only trains, and the Government’s plans to make driver only trains mandatory;

 

•      supports the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’) campaign to protect on-board conductors on the (Arriva North) routes and hundreds of essential rail jobs;

 

•      believes that, if implemented, the plan would result in cuts to funding, fare rises, service and timetable cuts and the loss of hundreds of essential rail jobs;

 

•      also believes that in addition to 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-Operation;

 

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

 

•      believes that protecting and increasing staffing levels are the most effective way of improving security and passenger safety;

 

•      notes that the driver is responsible for safe operation of the train and the on-board conductor for the protection of passengers;

 

•      notes that currently, guards and on-board conductors are fully trained in operational safety, route knowledge, including safely securing doors, protecting the train and acting in emergencies such as driver incapacity;

 

•      believes that these types of cuts to rail services particularly have an impact on disabled, older and women passengers, and go against the wishes of passengers who value proper staffing of trains and stations; and

 

•      urges the Government and Rail North to protect passengers and the communities who rely on these rail services by withdrawing these proposals and instead hold meaningful consultations to deliver properly funded, properly staffed and affordable railways in the North.”

 

The Chair afforded all Members in the Chamber, the opportunity to speak on the Motion.

 

A vote was taken on the Motion proposed by Councillor Neil Gethin, which was declared as follows:-

 

For - 44

 

Against - 0

 

Abstain - 0

 

On being put to the meeting, the Motion was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that this Council:-

 

(1)      registers its opposition to the Arriva North franchise requirement for driver only trains, and the Government’s plans to make driver only trains mandatory;

 

(2)      supports the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’) campaign to protect on-board conductors on the (Arriva North) routes and hundreds of essential rail jobs;

 

(3)      believes that, if implemented, the plan would result in cuts to funding, fare rises, service and timetable cuts and the loss of hundreds of essential rail jobs;

 

(4)      also believes that in addition to 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-Operation;

 

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

 

(6)      believes that protecting and increasing staffing levels are the most effective way of improving security and passenger safety;

 

(7)      notes that the driver is responsible for safe operation of the train and the on-board conductor for the protection of passengers;

 

(8)      notes that currently, guards and on-board conductors are fully trained in operational safety, route knowledge, including safely securing doors, protecting the train and acting in emergencies such as driver incapacity;

 

(9)      believes that these types of cuts to rail services particularly have an impact on disabled, older and women passengers, and go against the wishes of passengers who value proper staffing of trains and stations; and

 

(10)   urges the Government and Rail North to protect passengers and the communities who rely on these rail services by withdrawing these proposals and instead hold meaningful consultations to deliver properly funded, properly staffed and affordable railways in the North.