Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport concerning the need to develop a Passenger Transport Policy and Strategy (PTPS) to replace the ‘Revised Policy on the Supported Bus Network’ and seeking approval to undertake engagement and consultation exercise on the draft Policy and Strategy.  A copy of the report, marked ‘11’, is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Pain said that the Council needed to ensure that its support for passenger transport was based on robust and equitable criteria.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the draft Passenger Transport Policy and Strategy be approved for consultation;

(b)      That the outcome of the review of Community Bus Partnerships and the extension of contracts to June 2019 be noted;

(c)      That a further report be submitted to the Cabinet in autumn 2018 presenting the outcome of the consultation and seeking approval for the final Passenger Transport Policy and Strategy.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

A new PTPS will ensure that the Authority meets its statutory duties and delivers value-for-money passenger transport services.

Updating the Council’s approach to managing and maintaining passenger transport services will deliver a service that supports the 2018/19 to 2021/22 Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Initial engagement and consultation with stakeholders is an important part of the process for developing new policies.  This also helps to ensure that the Authority’s policies take account of customer expectations and delivers the most appropriate service levels, consistent with the budget available.  The extension to Community Bus Partnership contracts will enable all the CBPs to be fully assessed against the PTPS.