Issue - meetings

Report number DOS293 by the Director of Operational Services.

                                                                                                            (attached)

DECISION:

(1)    That due to the cost and current categorisation of the service as Category Y (statutory), the Government’s statutory free local bus travel is introduced within the Council’s existing policies and guidance;

(2)    The free bus pass be introduced from April 2006 and customers to be informed in writing that it will entitle them to half fare from January to March and then free local travel from April to December;

(3)    The Council be recommended to allocate the additional funding required within the forthcoming budget process;

(4)    There should be no time restrictions imposed, except where the bus operator has indicated that this would impact negatively on particular service routes.  The Director of Operational Services to be allowed discretion to negotiate these exceptions with operators;

(5)    Authority be granted to the Director of Operational Services to assess and agree generation factors with respect to individual bus routes with operators;

(6)    The Director of Operational Services, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder, be authorised to agree the reimbursement arrangements.

Considerations/Reasons for Decision::

(1)     Report number DOS293 by the Director of Operational Services on the review of the current travel concession service, specifically in respect of the changes necessary as a consequence of the Government’s intention to introduce free local bus travel for those aged over 60 and the disabled from April 2006;

(2)     The service currently consists of two strands:  the statutory half price bus pass (Category Y: to provide statutory minimum only), and travel vouchers as an alternative (Category Z: to remove or reduce investment in the service);

(3)     The current scheme conditions and details of how it is financed;

(4)     Noting anticipated audit problems with the introduction of free bus passes which will make it necessary to work closely with the bus operators to ensure that a satisfactory system of reimbursement is introduced;

(5)     Noting options for service delivery assuming that the current service options remain static, together with options to modify the service.  Implications of each option are detailed in report DOS293;

(6)     Assuming free bus passes are introduced in April 2006, it is not evident what the impact will be on the percentage of those who will opt for the alternative travel vouchers and those who will take up the free bus pass.  The financial resources in 2006/07 for free bus passes could be between £574,760 and £614,760 and accordingly additional funds will need to be built into that year’s budget;

(7)     The proposals have been subject to scrutiny and supported by the Healthy Environment DSP.