DD1352 High Speed Rail (London to West Midlands) Bill – Mayor’s Petition

1.1 On 16 May 2014, the Mayor and TfL deposited separate but complementary Petitions against the HS2 Bill. The Mayor’s Petition focused on development and regeneration, while the TfL submission was more closely concerned with transport matters. A copy of each petition is at Appendix 1.

1.2 Since the Petitions were deposited, GLA and TfL officers have been working closely with the DfT and HS2 Ltd to resolve as many of the Petition items as possible. Progress has been made on a number of items, and a number of draft undertakings are being developed.

1.3 A Select Committee is now considering Petitions made against the HS2 Bill, and can recommend changes to the Bill based on petitioner concerns.

1.4 The Committee will consider Mayoral and TfL petition items from summer 2015 (before and after Parliamentary recess) and work is ongoing to prepare evidence for Committee appearances.

2.1 The expected outcome of petitioning is that Undertakings will be secured, satisfactorily addressing petitioning items, and/or the Select Committee may recommend changes to the HS2 Bill. Any changes to this proposal will be subject to further approval via the Authority’s decision making process.

3.1 The GLA is subject to public sector equality duties, and the changes they are seeking are consistent with the Mayor’s strategies and plans, including those identified at para 4.2 below with associated equality impact assessments.

3.2 Overall, no adverse impacts are identified; and it is expected that positive contributions to equality will be incorporated into any new transport services that become constructed and operated and through any improved access arrangements; improved compensation and mitigation package; and other impacts that may arise, as a result of the Mayoral and TfL petition items.

4.1 Key risks and issues: The outcome of the Petitioning process is uncertain; there is a risk that some or all of the changes to the HS2 Bill that it proposes are not forthcoming. The Mayor and TfL would therefore need to continue to lobby the Department for Transport as sponsors of the scheme, as well as the Secretary of State for Transport, to ensure the delivery of a scheme that best secures a quality outcome for London.

4.2 Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities: The Petitions are linked to ‘The London Plan, 2011’ (and ‘Draft Further Alterations to the London Plan, 2014’) – and to associated documents, including ‘Draft Old Oak and Park Royal Opportunity Area Planning Framework, 2015’ and the Euston Area Plan. In addition, there are links to the Mayor’s other strategies including ‘The Economic Development Strategy, 2010’ and ‘The Transport Strategy, 2010’

4.3 Impact assessments and consultations: Impact assessments have been undertaken for the Mayor’s strategies. Consultation was undertaken with the London Assembly on the Petitions.

5.1 The cost of preparation for the next stage of the HS2 petitioning process is to be funded from budget allocated for HS2 petitioning approved under MD 1392. Of the original budget of £190,000 allocated to planning team for this (from Contingency budget) there now remains £169,000 to be spent on HS2 legal and consultant costs in 2015-16.

5.2 Transport and Planning Teams within GLA’s Development, Enterprise & Environment Directorate with Old Oak and Park Royal Mayoral Development Corporation and Transport for London will be responsible for work in relation to this petition.

6.1 Under Section 77 of the GLA Act 1999, the GLA may oppose any local Bill in Parliament which affects any of the inhabitants of, or any part of, Greater London. The HS2 Bill is such a Bill and the power to oppose it is exercisable by the Mayor on the Authority’s behalf.

6.2 Under the Mayoral Scheme of Delegation, the Executive Director of Development, Enterprise and Environment may exercise any statutory power (Mayoral Power) exercisable by the Mayor, including any power exercisable by him on the Authority’s behalf, which has not been reserved to be personally exercised by him under the terms of the Scheme. The power to oppose a local Bill under section 77 of the GLA Act 1999 is one that the Scheme authorises the Executive Director to exercise.

6.3 The Executive Director acting under the Mayoral Scheme of Delegation and, as part of the overall process of the GLA opposing the HS2 Bill, is asked to approve the final form of any undertakings to be given to the GLA and, consequently, the basis on which the GLA appears before the Select Committee in respect of petitioning items. The GLA may be asked to give a commitment not to appear on issues in respect of which a satisfactory undertaking has been agreed in final draft form, in effect as consideration for the Secretary of State proceeding to execute that draft.

6.1 A summary of the parliamentary process for the HS2 Bill is available at http://www.hs2.org.uk/developing-hs2/hybrid-bill/the-parliamentary-process.

6.2 The various stages for passage of a Bill starting in the House of Commons are set out at http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/laws/passage-bill/.

6.3 Consideration by Select Committee is anticipated as follows:

Supporting papers:

(b) Mayor of London Petition: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cmhs2/petitions/0491.pdf

(c) TfL Petition: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cmhs2/petitions/0497.pdf