Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment provided an update on the review of subsidised bus services following the consultation exercise, and confirmed the proposed action to be taken in relation to specific bus services.

A wide consultation and subsequent review of subsidised bus services within the County had been undertaken in accordance with the Policy which was appended to the report.

Feedback to the consultation had been received, details of which were outlined in the report.

The report was presented to the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 13 November 2013 who resolved that:

(a)                                       Members support the implementation of the changes as set out within the report and supporting appendices; and

(b)                                       Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee will review service performance tables annually, including the actions taken by officers to improve the performance of services

A summary of the subsidised bus services within Flintshire was attached at Appendix 3 to the report.

The Director of Environment explained the Welsh Government (WG) Concessionary Travel Scheme which was designed to leave bus operators no better and no worse off as they currently recovered approximately 73% of the cost of the journey back through the concessionary fee per passenger.  In Flintshire, the level of funding was £2 million per annum.  WG had reviewed its Concessionary Travel Scheme and was likely to seek changes to the level of funding support given back to bus operators in the future.  Current details were unclear but amendments to the financial level of support given to operators would have further consequences for bus services within the County with the potential for commercial and subsidised services to be affected.  The situation would be monitored with a view to the proposals being amended should it be deemed necessary to do so.

Members praised officers and the Cabinet Member on the consultation exercise that had been undertaken.

RESOLVED:

That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Environment following consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment to implement the changes set out in the report taking account of any impacts from the Welsh Government review of Concessionary Travel.