COMMISSION ON THE POWERS AND ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WALES

Submission by the Director, Wales Transport Research Centre, University Of Glamorgan

Professor Stuart Cole

CONCLUSION

The National Assembly has produce two reports - the Transport Framework for Wales (TFW, 2001) and the Policy Review of Public Transport (PRPT, 2001) . Both documents deal with issues such as railways and bus policy (which are outside the Assembly’s current responsibilities) and which without the necessary changes in primary legislation cannot be significantly affected by the Assembly/Executive. A question being asked is – "should the Assembly/WAG spend valuable time on such matters which are not currently its responsibility but which affect the particular country involved? (Chaney et al, 2001) The answer is a clear yes, otherwise how can decisions be made on the devolving of areas of activity to achieve an integrated transport policy.

An interesting debate between the two governments (Wales and UK) has followed the Transport Framework for Wales and the Policy Review of Public Transport final reports published early in 2002 and subsequent Ministry of Environment and Cabinet statements. Amongst the topics will be the role of the National Assembly vis a vis the SRA. One of the more interesting dialogues will now be how receptive the UK Government will be to the view in Wales given the starting point of the successful debate on the Wales and Borders franchise.

The devolution of power is a continuing process, but it will take time. However there is currently an apparent reluctance by UK Government ministers in London to transfer any more responsibilities in respect of transport. So what processes will indicate change? In Wales, should one of the outputs from the various policy statements be the transfer of powers of direction and control over the SRA, and of the appointment of member(s) for Wales? And what of the establishment of Welsh style passenger transport boards for example based on the consortia? The Cabinet has put forward a Transport (Wales) Bill which if agreed with DfT would lead to the preparation of primary legislation by DfT and the NAfW legal counsel. It would be likely to be on the Scottish model of powers to direct the SRA (subject to the Secretary of State’s power to override). One question which arises is :- what discussion has taken place between the WAG and DfT concerning the Bill prior to its announcement in NAfW Plenary.

But would funding for such expenditure have to be met from the existing block grant or from additional ring-fenced amounts? Railways in Wales make losses; Wales and Borders revenue support is fully funded by the SRA; the Barnett formula is not expected to generate that additional funding alone so an additional negotiated settlement would be needed. These financial issues will be key to satisfying demands and needs for public transport over the next few years.