Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies.

Apologies were received from Cllr Bob Sleigh OBE. Cllrs Caudwell, Howell, McCarthy and Wilson all joined the meeting remotely.

To receive any declarations of interests.

None were declared.

To receive any questions or deputations.

There were no questions or deputations. Cllr Pinwell as Chairman had received an email from a member of the public, who was unable to attend due to the extreme heat, raising concerns but this was now being dealt with outside of the meeting.

To receive the minutes of the last meeting held on Monday 7^th March 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 7th March 2022 were received and approved.

To receive a programme update from HS2 Ltd.

HS2 and Contractors presented the Main Programme Update as set out in pages 11-36 of the Agenda Pack. Members raised questions relating to communication plans for upcoming works, how long works would continue and where electrical infrastructure supporting the route would be located. 

AGREED:

·  It was agreed that an update on where the electrical infrastructure for the route would be sited would be included on the Main Programme Update at the next meeting.

To receive an update from HS2 Ltd regarding the River Blythe and Balsall Common Viaducts.

HS2 and Contractors presented the update as set out in pages 37-44 of the Agenda Pack.

AGREED:

·  That members of the HS2 IAG Group would receive a briefing on the proposed design of the River Blythe Viaduct ahead of the scheme going out to public consultation.

To receive a verbal update of the HS2 project from Solihull Council’s Highway Services Division.

Paul Tovey updated members on the progress of applications made to the HS2 Road Safety Fund. SMBC have received confirmation that their Road Safety fund claims for Hampton in Arden Improvements (Phase 2) and the Balsall Common Pedestrian Crossing Improvements have been approved so they can invoice 60% now and 40% following completion of the works. Further information was requested for the other 3 schemes which would be sent back to HS2 later this week.

To provide an update on the current version of the Key Issues Tracker.

The meeting dealt with issue 2 on the tracker first. Cllr Pinwell reiterated the meetings desire to see a Skate Park at Heath Park. HS2 advised their position to date is that they will consider the request and make a judgement once they are in a position to do so as it could be supported through BBV’s community investment programme, so long as other funding/support from SMBC, or another route can be secured. Cllr Pinwell asked for a meeting outside of the IAG with officers from all sides to put together a plan so that when the time was right a proposal could be presented.

AGREED:

·  A meeting be convened to explore and refine plans for a Skate Park in Heath Park.

The meeting then looked at issue 3 on the tracker and Cllr Wilson asked whether tree planting across the borough would use saplings or mature trees. HS2 advised that saplings are preferred as they have a higher survival rate than mature trees and that site management takes place to ensure that saplings that don’t survive are replaced.