Isles of Scilly Transport Board

IOS TRANSPORT BOARD TERMS OF REFERENCE   1. Purpose & Role of the Board Transport to the islands is a key issue and ensuring sustainable links to the mainland is vital to the islands’ wellbeing. The evidence base that informed the Strategic Economic Plan for the Isles of Scilly shows that the transport system is one of the key barriers to growth and indeed to a sustainable future for the islands. Over the last four years significant investments have been made in improving the islands transport infrastructure with the purpose of building resilience and higher levels of operational efficiency.   Working in partnership to find solutions to the transportation issues facing the islands is essential to preserve safe, reliable, year-round travel and freight delivery options for residents and visitors alike. The Board aims, where possible, to align the various perspectives of its membership and among its wider stakeholders in order to present a united viewpoint to Government and the public on the actions which need to be taken in order to achieve this mutual aim. Where this is not possible, the Board aims to ensure that all members are allowed the opportunity to voice their concerns and present alternative viewpoints. The ultimate purpose of the Board is to agree a list of actions to better serve our island and visitor communities.   The board will:

·         Put the user at the heart of the plans to deliver the transport system

·         Provide strong and visible collective leadership on transport issues to realise a strong resilient transport system

·         Be visible and accountable to the service users of the transport system

·         Develop a single, unified strategic vision and shared outcome framework

·         Ensure alignment of strategic vision and shared outcomes framework across partner organisations’ plans

·         Develop shared solutions to address current and future funding challenges

·         Contribute to the formulation and expression of joint views to central government and other bodies.   2. Remit There is a recognition that collaborative working is essential in order to take a whole system approach that works for the Isles of Scilly. Whilst partners might have competing priorities, working consistently together, rather than just consulting each other on an ad hoc basis will be crucial. The Transport Board aims to create a common purpose, insist on a whole systems approach which is supported by holding partners to account. In order to assure effective collaborative working, the board will:  

·         Create a common purpose

·         Promote collaborative front line working

·         Explain what is important

·         Hold partners to account

·         Insist on whole system approaches

·         Resource new ways of working

·         Build political backing

·         Distribute leadership

·         Share power

·         Serve others’ perspectives; and

·         Spend time on relationships   Common Purpose

·         Provide leadership in the development of a resilient transport system that is capable of fulfilling the transport needs of the islands

·         Guide and support better integration of customer journeys in the transport system, including improvements in the chain of freight

·         Innovate and provide leadership in reducing the service user’s cost of the transport system   Behaviours

·         To maintain a culture of mutual respect in which honest and productive discussions can take place.

·         To ensure evidenced and transparent decision making by Board Members.

·         To proactively communicate the decisions taken by the Board.

·         To support working groups to develop a set of achievable actions in the interest of the wider community.

·         To record and communicate outcomes and lessons learned in the interest of future decision making.

·         To agree a suitable governance mechanism for engaging stakeholders and the community.   Limitations

·         It must be acknowledged that no single member of the board has the authority to speak on behalf of the Board.

·         The Board does not possess any powers with respect to the governance or commercial decisions of member organisations or individuals.

·         Conflicts of interest must be declared as appropriate.   3. Membership Membership of the board was agreed at the meeting of 6 November 2018 as follows:

·         Council of the Isles of Scilly [Chief Executive, Chairman of Council and the Lead Member for Place]

·         Cornwall Council [Service Director for Transport and Infrastructure]

·         CIOS Local Enterprise Partnership [Chairman or Sponsor Director]

·         The Duchy of Cornwall [Land Steward]

·         The IoS Steamship Company [Managing Director]

·         Tresco Estate [Managing Director]

·         Island Partnership [Executive Director] Members will nominate a named deputy   4. Governance There is a presumption that decisions of the IoS Transport Board are normally agreed by consensus of the voting members present. In exceptional circumstances where consensus cannot be achieved, a formal vote shall be taken. Where a formal vote is required the matter shall be decided by a simple majority of those members present.   Individual members of the IOS Transport Board will be responsible for ensuring their organisation is kept briefed on the work of the Board.   Board recommendations to the constituent members for decision will be made via a single template report to ensure consistency of reporting and decision-making   The Board may invite third parties to participate in meetings of the board and/ or be members of project teams established by the Board. [Technical Working Groups]   The IoS transport board will not operate formal executive arrangements.   The assumption is that individual members have a consistent level of delegated authority from their organisation to participate in the business of the Board   The governance structure comprises:

·         The IoS Transport Board [Strategic Decision Making Body]

·         Technical Working Groups [Preparation of solutions and business cases]

·         Stakeholder Group [Advisory body to the board, including user groups]   The Board may establish sub-groups where this is appropriate in order to address specific issues: sub-groups may be either time-limited in their duration or standing subgroups where the issue is on-going.   5. Meetings

·         Members will elect a chair annually

·         There will be 4 meetings per annum

·         At least 4 Members must be in attendance for a quorum.

·         The secretariat will be provided by: tbc

·         Agendas will be circulated at least 5 days in advance of each meeting.

·         Notes of the meeting will be circulated within a week.   6. Review Terms of Reference will be reviewed annually.