Bridge board faces £200k cost of Bill
A NEW parliamentary Bill paving the way for major changes at the Humber Bridge is set to cost £200,000.
Under a recent deal with the Government, the bridge board is preparing to promote a Private Bill in Parliament to establish new legal powers over issues such as toll charges and financial borrowing.
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STEERING BID: Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy will spearhead the promotion of a Private Members' Bill through Parliament. Picture: Rob Stebbing
The new-look board, which is made up of the region's four council leaders and two private sector representatives, gave formal approval to work to start on preparing the Bill at a meeting yesterday.
However, the board will be required to meet the full cost of all the associated fees and expenses incurred during the process.
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Initial estimates put the likely cost at about £200,000 – the equivalent of 133,333 tolls from cars crossing the bridge.
At the moment, the board does not have a specific budget set aside to cover the cost of promoting the Bill, which will be spearheaded in Parliament by Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy.
Instead, the money is likely to come from under spending on projects and budgets in previous years which has been carried into the board's reserves.
Board chairman Councillor Liz Redfern said securing parliamentary approval of the Bill was vital step in transforming the bridge and its board for the future.
"It is something we have to do and we must get it right," she said.
The Bill is expected to go before Parliament in mid-November and MPs from across the region are expected to unite across the political divide to ensure their 100 per cent support.
However, board clerk Darryl Stephenson said steering a Private Members' Bill through Parliament was not a straightforward task.
He said approvals were needed from the relevant minister and three different government departments before it even reached the House of Commons.
"The agents we have appointed to promote the bill tell us that it's like a mouse getting through a jungle," said Mr Stephenson.
"It's a very difficult process, not least because certain MPs are well-known for objecting to private bills. They regard it as something of a sport."
The previous bridge board has promoted private bills before, securing Acts of Parliament in 1959, 1971 and 1973 to pave the way for the construction of the crossing as well as establishing the constitution of the board, the setting of tolls and provisions relating to its finances.
Before it reaches Parliament, the board's proposed Bill will also be the subject of a public consultation on both sides of the estuary, involving residents and business users.
Comments
by Scotus0
Monday, September 03 2012, 7:06PM
“Oh...that's the tolls going back up then.”
by vanityunfair
Monday, September 03 2012, 4:42PM
“Do you think it might be possible to have a breakdown of expenditure to explain why it costs £200,000 to take a private member's bill through parliament? I know I don't know much about this; it isn't something most of us do even once. What an opportunity this would be for the HDM's features people.
Presumably:
The Humber Bridge Board secretary would write the draft bill. They already have the facts and the expertise necessary.
A local MP would introduce it if (s)he were to win a place in the annual ballot. It's part of the job; spending money on this end would look like bribery. "[T]he Bill... will be spearheaded in Parliament by Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy" so that's already sorted.
If it is approved by the Commons and the Lords it becomes an Act of Parliament and law.
Costs:
Printing the bill.
Liaison with local government. Hull City Council should be no problem.
Advertisements in the local press. The press would keep the public informed of events as part of its public duty.
Publicity to MPs and Peers. "MPs from across the region are expected to unite across the political divide to ensure their 100 per cent support." But I suppose you shouldn't expect MPs to do what you expect them to do and the board will have to send maps to the others so they know where the bridge is.
Public meetings. "[T]he board's proposed Bill will also be the subject of a public consultation on both sides of the estuary.
"[T]he money is likely to come from under spending on projects and budgets in previous years which has been carried into the board's reserves" so it already exists and will not cost 133,333 crossing fees.
"The previous bridge board has promoted private bills before, securing Acts of Parliament in 1959, 1971 and 1973..." so they knew how to do it forty years ago.
"[A]pprovals were needed from the relevant minister and three different government departments before it even reached the House of Commons." Surely it is Parliament's job to control the Executive not vice-versa.
"The agents we have appointed to promote the bill..." Ah! Details, please.”
by PatrickNewman
Monday, September 03 2012, 12:40PM
“Could we be a touch more specific about in what way will the Humber Bridge will be "transformed"? Will additional lanes be added or full enclosure so that high-sided vehicle can use the bridge in strong winds! Ah! the Board is to be transformed in the same parliamentary process. This is probably logistically more feasible - more fees and more members to enjoy them.
I think it is unfair to round on the multi tasking Mr Stephenson. You underestimate his modesty which clearly is demonstrated by his willingness to undertake a menial role as a clerk to the Board. He is probably getting little more than £10 per hour.
Regarding his thought about mice in jungles I suggest he asks David Cameron who may have some experience, according to Tim Yeo M.P.”
by David_Nivea
Monday, September 03 2012, 10:23AM
“How much of the estimated £200,000 is legal costs and how can such charges be justified?”
by AstonomiaSK
Monday, September 03 2012, 10:09AM
“How much is Darryl paid to be 'clerk of the bridge board' , when was the job advertised, who selected him and on which golf course was the interview held?”
by EducatedSage
Saturday, September 01 2012, 4:40PM
“One hopes that Darryl Stephenson is not finding his twin posts of Clerk of the Humber Bridge Board and Acting Chief Executive of Hull City Council too onerous.
The old saying that "all work and no play makes Johhny (or Darryl) a dull boy" comes to mind and we wouldn't want that would we? How is he going to be able to spend his ample rewards if he is too tired? The very thought almost brought a tear to my eye”