Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/161

Contact: Josephine Elliott, Programme Manager (Supported Transport) Tel: 07920 084242

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA9).

This report outlines proposals to deliver £6.25m of savings from the Council's supported transport services by 2017/18. It's estimated that £3.69m of this can be delivered through greater efficiency, brought about by the introduction of a new Transport Hub. We propose to deliver the remaining £2.56m by reducing subsidies to commercial bus operators, while prioritising services used by older people and people with disabilities. If Cabinet permission is granted, this proposal will be subject to a full 12-week public consultation beginning in mid-June, at which point a consultation document including further details will be released.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)            Note progress with making efficiencies through the introduction of the ‘Transport Hub’, and plans to make further such efficiencies; and

(b)            Grant permission to consult on the proposals outlined in the paper. 

Recommendations agreed with an additional recommendation to consider a further consultation option to remove all bus subsidies within the County subject to meeting the Council’s statutory duty.

Cabinet considered a report that outlined proposals to deliver £6.25m of savings from the Council's supported transport services by 2017/18. It's estimated that £3.69m of this can be delivered through greater efficiency, brought about by the introduction of a new Transport Hub with the remaining £2.56m being delivered by reducing subsidies to commercial bus operators, while prioritising services used by older people and people with disabilities.

Councillor Curran, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment, recognised the difficult position the Council faced and commented that officers had done a good job in replacing Dial-a-Ride with Aspire and felt that it had the potential to bring benefits County wide. He felt it was important to involve users in shaping services and suggested regular meetings involving users.

During discussion Cabinet agreed that given the current financial situation it was important to explore all options and that therefore the consultation include a further option removing all bus subsidies within the County.

RESOLVED:           to:

(a)            note progress with making efficiencies through the introduction of the ‘Transport Hub’, and plans to make further such efficiencies; and

(b)            grant permission to consult on the proposals outlined in the paper;

(c)            to consider a further consultation option to remove all bus subsidies within the County subject to meeting the Council’s statutory duty.