Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2009/227

Contact: Neil Timberlake, Assistant Public Transport Officer (01865 815585)

 11.40am

Report by Head of Transport (TDC9)

The Cabinet Member considered future funding for the Transport for All consultative body which represented people with disabilities and mobility impairments in relation to transport and accessibility issues.

Councillor Turner raised a number of issues regarding structure and management, the consultation role of the TFA,  reinstatement of the disability awareness training badge for drivers and the appropriateness of a service level agreement.  He supported the recommendations.

Mr Howell advised that the report had not intended to criticise the previous performance of the group.  It was not intended to enter into a service level agreement but the TFA would be expected to develop a broader role under a funding agreement.

Mr Timberlake advised that the disability awareness training badge had been abandoned because of the high numbers of drivers who had undertaken the training.

(a)                     pay Transport For All a grant of £3,000 per annum to support the costs of its meetings and other consultative work for a period of one year commencing 1 April 2010, subject to the agreement of Transport For All to the terms of a Funding Agreement governing budget-setting and financial reporting and accountability and to an internal restructure to fit it for the enhanced role outlined in paragraph 13 of the report CMDT9;

(b)                     ask officers to review the position further during 2010, in the light of developments in the establishment and progress of “Oxfordshire Unlimited” and report again in early 2011, with recommendations for further action; and

(c)                     authorise the Head of Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, to consider and, if felt appropriate, offer additional grant funding to meet the agreed costs of any specific additional projects which might be proposed subsequently by Transport For All.