Information Pack for Applicants to the MIDLANDS CONNECT PROJECT TEAM I. Midlands Connect: Strategic Context and progress to date The Midlands Connect (MC) Partnership started in 2014 and brings together a Partnership of 28 Local Transport Authorities and 11 Local Enterprise Partnerships from across the Midlands (see Annex A) to promote transformational transport improvements to unlock the untapped economic potential of the region and help rebalance the UK economy as a whole. The Midlands Connect Partnership is underpinned by two main principles: a. Investing in the One Voice approach to ensure the Midlands reaches a unified position on what strategic transport interventions are required to maximise the growth potential of the area; and b. An evidenced approach through a number of technical studies which, in parallel with Network Rail s and Highway England s technical activities, will be focused on clearly articulating and evidencing the transport needs, opportunities and investment priorities for the region. So far the MC programme has been locally driven and locally funded and has been developed in close collaboration with Local Authorities, LEPs and the transport industry (Network Rail, Highways Agency, HS2 Ltd and transport operators). During 2015 the MC Partnership has gone from strength to strength with political and business leaders recognising the role of the Partnership as a catalyst for unprecedented collaboration and partnership working across the Midlands. The MC Partnership has already gained support from Sir David Higgins who acknowledges Midlands Connect as a key driver for ensuring that the Midlands is HS2 Ready and maximises the opportunities HS2 will bring. A significant achievement for the MC Partnership was securing 5m from Government to Midlands Connect as part of the summer budget, clearly showing Government s recognition of Midlands Connect as one of the key components of the Engine for Growth. The primary focus for Government s 5 million commitment of additional funding for Midlands Connect is to help the Midlands develop its vision and strategy for transforming transport connectivity across the region in order to drive economic growth. The availability of these new funds allows the MC Partnership to set a credible long term investment strategy which can support the building of the Midlands as an Engine for Growth and sustain investor confidence in the region. It allows the MC Partnership to review and scale up the existing work programme already under way, without losing its existing pace, focus and value. II. MC Governance In moving the Midlands Connect programme forward and acknowledging the importance of accountability and transparency, the MC Partnership is simplifying and strengthening its governance arrangements to reflect its new partnership agreement with Government.
In doing so the MC Partnership aims to maximise geographical representation from across the Midlands ensuring the Midlands Transport Strategy supports the long term sustainable growth of both rural and urban economies in the region. The MC Partnership is a young but strong partnership. Figure 1 below sets out the proposed governance arrangements allowing the Partnership to continue to invest in a One Voice approach thus becoming a solid platform for powering the Midlands Engine. Figure 1: Midlands Connect Governance structure The Midlands Connect Partnership has gone from strength to strength with political and business leaders recognising the role of the Partnership as a catalyst for unprecedented collaboration and partnership working across the Midlands. In order to maintain its strength at a Midlands wide level, the Partnership will continue to work together through the proposed Midlands Connect Partnership Advisory Board providing strategic guidance to the Strategic Board and screening wider environments ensuring alignment with other Strategic agendas e.g. Midlands Engine. The MC Partnership Advisory Board will also be responsible for the appointment of an Independent Chair, members from Local Authorities and LEPs representatives on both the MC Strategic Board and the MC Steering Group. In line with good governance practices, the Midlands Connect Partnership proposes the establishment of a Strategic Board which will be collectively responsible for the long-term sustainability and success of the programme. The Strategic Board will make binding decisions on behalf of the Midlands Connect Partnership with representation from Government, DfT, Local Government and LEP partners from across the Region. A more detailed description of the proposed governance arrangements for the MC Partnership is set out in Annex B.
III. A Project Team for Midlands Connect In taking forward the MC programme it will be crucially important to have the management resource, skills and expertise necessary to deliver such a project. Considering the scale and nature of the MC programme the MC Partnership is assembling a Project Team (see Figure 3) responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of the Midlands Connect programme of works. Figure 3: Midlands Connect Project Team
ANNEX A
ANNEX B MIDLANDS CONNECT PARTNERSHIP ADVISORY BOARD The primary role of the Partnership Advisory Board is to provide strategic guidance to the Strategic Board and secure a single voice approach to the Midlands Connect Partnership. The Partnership Advisory Board comprises all Local Transport Authorities at Member Level, all Local Enterprise Partnership Chairs and key partners of the Midlands Connect Partnership (set out in Appendix A in this document). Membership will be reviewed following elections as appropriate. The Midlands Connect Partnership Advisory Board will: i. Provide strategic guidance to the Strategic Board and secure a single voice approach to the Midlands Connect Partnership. ii. Nominate representatives to sit on the Strategic Board and Programme Steering Group. iii. Screening wider environments ensuring alignment with other Strategic agendas e.g. Midlands Engine iv. Receive papers and reports for information. MEETINGS The Chair and Vice Chair of the Board will be nominated from the Partnership Advisory Board membership at the first meeting. This will be reviewed every 2 years. The Partnership Advisory Board will meet biannually (6 months)
MIDLANDS CONNECT STRATEGIC BOARD The primary role of the Strategic Board is to provide leadership and accountability to the Midlands Connect Partnership to ensure delivery of the Midlands Connect Programme. The Strategic Board comprises a number of representatives from the Midlands Connect Partnership who are nominated from the wider Partnership Advisory Board. Membership will be reviewed every 2 years or following elections/ elected Member changes. Membership representation is set out below: Independent Chair Department for Transport Minister 3 West Midlands Local Transport Authority Leaders 3 East Midlands Local Transport Authority Leaders 2 West Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership Chairs 2 East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership Chairs HS2 Ltd Network Rail (NR) Highways England (HE) Steering Group Chair Midlands Connect Programme Director The Strategic Board will: i. Provide leadership and accountability to the Midlands Connect partnership. ii. Take decisions on the framework and overall strategy of the programme. iii. Ensure value for money is achieved iv. Ensure transparency in the Midlands Connect Programme v. Maximise visibility and promote Midlands Connect at national and international levels vi. Receive reports, papers and recommendations from the Steering Group MEETINGS AND DECISION MAKING The Strategic Board will be chaired by an independent chair. It will be based on collaborative working and conducted in the spirit of partnership working. Meetings will be consensus based and will include detailed discussions of matters that are of strategic importance. In the event that consensus cannot be reached, the democratically elected Local Transport Authority (LTA) Leaders on the Strategic Board and the Independent Chair will vote based on discussions at the meeting. All decisions will be made in accordance with the following principles: Due consultation will be carried out where appropriate (including taking relevant professional advice from officers); there will be a presumption in favour of open and transparent decision making; there will be a clarity of aims and desired outcomes; All decisions will be taken as the financially accountable democratically elected members of the Midlands Connect Partnership and not on behalf of specific areas. The basis of the vote will be a full majority vote. Any meeting cannot be held without the attendance of the independent chair and no member can deputise for this position. Members of the Strategic Board are required to declare any interests, gifts or hospitality which they have or receive which could influence any decisions they may make as board members. The Strategic Board will meet three times a year
MIDLANDS CONNECT PROGRAMME STEERING GROUP The primary purpose of the Programme Steering Group is to provide expertise and recommendations to the Midlands Connect Strategic Board. The Programme Steering Group comprises a number of senior representatives from the Midlands Connect Partnership who are appointed by the wider Partnership Advisory Board. Membership will be reviewed every 2 years. Membership representation is set out below: 4 Local Transport Authority Transport Directors (2 from East Midlands and 2 from the West Midlands) 2 Local Enterprise Partnership To be a LEP Board Member from the private sector (1 from East Midlands and 1 from the West Midlands) 2 Members of Chamber of Commerce (1 from East Midlands and 1 from the West Midlands) Airports (Birmingham and East Midlands) Network Rail Highways England HS2 Ltd Senior Officer from Department for Transport Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) Midlands Connect Programme Director The Midlands Connect Programme Steering Group will: i. Provide expertise and recommendations to the Midlands Connect Strategic Board. ii. Co-ordinate and oversee the delivery of the Midlands Connect programme iii. Capitalise on any business and regeneration opportunities available to support the delivery of Midlands Connect iv. Be the main point of engagement in relation to strategic issues for relevant Government Departments and delivery agencies such as Network Rail, Highways England and HS2 Ltd. v. Take decisions on the content and direction of the Midlands Connect technical work programme supported by advice from the project team and in line with decisions taken by the Strategic Board. MEETINGS The Chair and Vice Chair of the Steering Group will be nominated by the Strategic Board. This will be reviewed every 2 years. Members of the Strategic Group will be required to declare any interests, gifts or hospitality which they have or receive which could influence any decisions they may make as steering group members. The Midlands Connect Programme Steering Group will meet bi-monthly
MIDLANDS CONNECT TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP The primary objective of this group is to provide advice and technical expertise to the Project Team The Technical Advisory Group comprises officer representation from across the Midlands Connect Partnership including Local Transport Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and other stakeholders. Membership will be reviewed every 2 years. The Technical Advisor Group will: i. Support the Project Team with resources, advice, technical expertise, intelligence and information as required... ii. Ensure alignment and avoid duplication with key policies and programmes across the Midlands iii. Promote the Programme iv. Support the Communications & Stakeholder Management Plan for the Midlands Connect programme and champion Midlands Connect locally v. Receive and review information from the Project Team MEETINGS This group will be chaired by the Midlands Connect Programme Director The Midlands Connect Technical Advisory Board will meet bi- monthly
MIDLANDS CONNECT PROJECT TEAM To develop, implement and monitor delivery of the Midlands Connect programme of work. The Project Team will be led by the Midlands Connect Programme Director. The Team will provide the necessary resource to deliver the Midlands Connect Programme and will comprise the following: Programme Director Programme and Stakeholder Manager Programme Support Strategy Manager Transport Development Analysts (x4) PR and Communications Lead Administration Support The Project Team will: i. Develop, implement and monitor delivery of the Midlands Connect programme of works. ii. Provide appropriate updates to the Programme Steering Group iii. Respond to any requests for guidance/delivery put forward by the Programme Steering Group as necessary iv. Ensure alignment with key policies and programmes across the Midlands v. Develop a Communications & Stakeholder Management Plan vi. Develop and implement a risk management strategy for the programme. vii. Review any opportunities for additional funding to support the Midlands Connect programme viii. Respond to the strategic direction provided by the Programme Steering Group ix. Ensue that an effective communications strategy is developed to communicate objectives and priorities x. Commission external support to deliver on the agreed work programme xi. Provide intelligence and information to support the Midlands Connect Programme xii. Own the various technical workstreams associated with Midlands Connect xiii. Make the Midlands Connect Steering Group aware of any forthcoming issues affecting the successful development of Midlands Connect. xiv. Coordinate and facilitate the effective exchange of information amongst all work streams and key partners in the Midlands. xv. Take day-to-day decisions on Midlands Connect, in line with the direction set by the Strategic Board and Steering Group. MEETINGS The Project Team will have regular update and progress meetings to ensure delivery