Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment outlined the proposals for a review of the County’s subsidised bus and related services.

From 1 April 2012, Welsh Government (WG) had announced that they would be making changes to the way it subsidised bus services and community transport in Wales.  In relation to North Wales, this would mean a reduction from £33m to £25m for the next financial year. 

Subject to the announcement, a transitional funding period was agreed by the Minister, subject to a Review of the future funding of bus services across Wales.  It was confirmed that for the remainder of the 2012/13 financial year, a cut of approximately 9.5% would apply, from 1 October 2012, which equated to a 19% reduction in bus funding for the second half of the financial year.

A set of criteria was required to help shape the review in order that it could be used consistently, to determine and prioritise the level of Council intervention.  A draft Policy was considered by the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 6 February 2013 and Members’ comments were incorporated into a revised Policy which was appended to the report, which, subject to approval, would be used as the basis for the review of subsidised bus services.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the changes to bus funding from 1 April 2013 be noted;

(b)       That the Policy (appendix 2) be approved; and

(c)        That it be noted that a review will be undertaken in accordance with the Policy and that a further report be brought to a future Cabinet meeting on its conclusion.