Issue - meetings

Members are requested to bring to the meeting the Cabinet report on this matter circulated with my letter of 12^th September, 2001.

 

All members of the County Council have been invited to attend the meeting.

The Commission considered a report previously submitted to the Cabinet which set out the findings of the Best Value Review Panel established to consider the County Council’s Public Transport Services.  A copy of the report is filed with these minutes.

 

The Commission then received a presentation from Mr. J. Holden, Public Transport Co-ordinator, Planning and Transportation Department, on the key findings and implications arising from the Review.  Copies of the slides used in the presentation are attached to these minutes.

 

Arising from the discussion on the presentation the following points were made:

 

·                    Concern was expressed that applying the principles in the report would mean that 5% of the population would not have direct access to a bus service of at least hourly frequency but might also lose their existing services.  In areas where the hourly service was not used throughout the day, but only at certain times, there was a risk that the entire service would be withdrawn.  This would cause anger and resentment.  Members were assured that adequate resources would be available to ensure that the 5% of the population not receiving an hourly service would receive levels of service at least as good as at present, though the provision of services provided would depend upon local consultation.  An annual review process would be used to ensure a correct balance of funding was maintained between the hourly services network and the community transport proposals;

 

·                    The report did not address adequately the issue of services to out of county cities/towns.  Residents on the Leicestershire boundaries often had stronger links and affinities with towns and cities in other counties than Leicestershire.  This would require close co-operation between neighbouring local authorities.  Members were advised that such co-operation was already in place and could be developed further if consultation with the public demonstrated the need;

 

·                    The report needed to be more specific about the losers from adopting the new transport network and about the resources that would be provided to enable community-based transport solutions to be provided to meet their needs.  It was pointed out that it would not be possible to identify the losers precisely until more detailed work had been done on timetables, routes etc.  Likewise, the resource implication could not be accurately assessed until this work had been done; 

 

·                    Further work needed to be undertaken with Parish Councils to encourage the development of community transport.  The efforts of officers in making Parish Councils aware of funding from the “Parish Travel Fund” were welcomed;

 

·                    Concerns were raised regarding services between Market Bosworth and Hinckley, particularly in relation to evening bus services.

 

·                    The increase in costs of bus service contracts and the trend towards reducing commercial bus service network was a cause for concern.

 

·                    The sustainability assessment of the Ivanhoe Stage 1 line was linked to factors relating to pollution and did not reflect the wider benefits of rail services such as reduced congestion on the roads.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That Mr. Holden be thanked for his interesting presentation on the outcome and implications of the Public Transport Review;

 

(b)       That it be noted that the report will be considered by the Planning and Environment Committee on 27^th September and the Commission on 3^rd October with a view to submitting initial comments to the Cabinet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

20^th September, 2001.                                                                      CHAIRMAN

10.30 a.m. – 12.25 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best Value Review of Public Transport

 

 

Presentation to Scrutiny Commission

 

 

20^th September 2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best Value Review of Public Transport

 

1 - Introduction

 

 

 

Scope -             All public transport services except:

 

-         concessionary travel

-         mainstream home to school transport

 

Process       

-  Member Panel

-         started work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20