What’s in 138 pages of the contract between Merseytravel and Stadler Bussnang AG for new trains that caused the strike?

What’s in 138 pages of the contract between Merseytravel and Stadler Bussnang AG for new trains that caused the strike?

What’s in 138 pages of the contract between Merseytravel and Stadler Bussnang AG for new trains that caused the strike?

                                               

1 Letter from Merseytravel to John Brace 18th August 2017
1 Letter from Merseytravel to John Brace 18th August 2017

As detailed on this blog in the stories Why are there 3 further days of strike action on the Merseyrail network this month? and What did Cllr Gordon Friel answer when asked about guards and the Merseyrail strike? today is one of three days of strike action this week on the Merseyrail network.

The strike action stems from a contract for new rolling stock agreed by politicians in December 2016 and signed in February 2017.

I requested a copy of this contract once the 16-17 financial year had ended during the 30 working day inspection period. Unfortunately Merseytravel both supplied it late outside the 30 working day inspection period and insisted that various parts of it should be withheld on grounds of commercial confidentiality.

I had requested it be supplied electronically as they had done the year before with various contracts and invoices including the contract with Merseyrail. This request was denied and it was supplied in paper form.

Roughly the first half of what I was sent is below (as I’ve just got around to having the time to scan it in). Some is blacked out and the entire specification is withheld on grounds of commercial confidentiality (something I have disputed with Merseytravel to no avail).

Hopefully it’ll help with the ongoing public debate about the new trains.

Merseytravel and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority have a legal duty to make environmental information (such as this contract) available to the public by electronic means.

Continue reading “What’s in 138 pages of the contract between Merseytravel and Stadler Bussnang AG for new trains that caused the strike?”

So what happened each month in 2017?

So what happened each month in 2017?

So what happened each month in 2017?

                                    

Cllr Phil Davies on Hoylake Golf Resort at Hoylake Community Centre 9th December 2017
Cllr Phil Davies on Hoylake Golf Resort at Hoylake Community Centre 9th December 2017

2017 was such a newsworthy year it’s hard to know where to start.

January

The year started with councillors on Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority furious over the refusal of planning permission for a new fire station in Saughall Massie.
Continue reading “So what happened each month in 2017?”

Councillors asked for further £600,000 towards fire station at Saughall Massie

Councillors asked for further £600,000 towards fire station at Saughall Massie

Councillors asked for further £600,000 towards fire station at Saughall Massie

                                    

Planning Committee site visit to land off Saughall Massie Road 13th December 2016 Left Cllr Steve Foulkes Right Cllr Anita Leech Chair
Planning Committee site visit to land off Saughall Massie Road 13th December 2016 Left Cllr Steve Foulkes (Vice-Chair) Right Cllr Anita Leech (Chair)

Councillors on the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority will be asked next week to agree to a further £600,000 for a new fire station at Saughall Massie. The government’s contribution to the project has been increased from £1.5 million to £2.086 million.
Continue reading “Councillors asked for further £600,000 towards fire station at Saughall Massie”

As the costs of the new trains rise, Merseytravel’s lawyers buy drinks and you’re paying for it (as well as taxis, wi-fi on trains and other expenses)!

As the costs of the new trains rise, Merseytravel’s lawyers buy drinks and you’re paying for it (as well as taxis, wi-fi on trains and other expenses)!

As the costs of the new trains rise, Merseytravel’s lawyers buy drinks and you’re paying for it (as well as taxis, wi-fi on trains and other expenses)!

                                          

A picture of one of the new trains ordered by Merseytravel from Stadler
A picture of one of the new trains ordered by Merseytravel from Stadler

Last Friday, Merseytravel answered a FOI request of mine for various invoices.
Continue reading “As the costs of the new trains rise, Merseytravel’s lawyers buy drinks and you’re paying for it (as well as taxis, wi-fi on trains and other expenses)!”

Should EU laws on the environment be disregarded by the British judiciary before the UK has left the EU?

Should EU laws on the environment be disregarded by the British judiciary before the UK has left the EU?

Should EU laws on the environment be disregarded by the British judiciary before the UK has left the EU?

                                                 

Planning Committee (Wirral Council) site visit Saughall Massie fire station 18th July 2017
Planning Committee (Wirral Council) site visit Saughall Massie fire station 18th July 2017 (this is the site for the proposed fire station)

In a follow-up to yesterday’s story Wirral Council’s Cabinet agree 150 year lease for fire station in Saughall Massie I am going to write an editorial on a related matter. I’ll start by pointing out that I was the Appellant in the First-tier Tribunal matter referred to and Applicant in the related Upper Tribunal case.

Below is an opinion piece, I am not a legal professional and one of the costs decision referred to is sub judice. However as Editor I have decided there is a public interest in these matters being written about for various reasons.

Continue reading “Should EU laws on the environment be disregarded by the British judiciary before the UK has left the EU?”