Issue - meetings

That the comments made by the Committee on the draft proposals be considered as part of the consultation.

The Transportation Manager introduced a report to outline draft proposals of the County’s subsidised bus and related services and introduced Ceri Lloyd who had been appointed as the new Rural Transport Project Officer on a 12 month fixed-term basis.

A full list of bus services in Flintshire was attached to the report indicating Red, Amber and Green status to show levels of cost, demand and sustainability.  In correcting an error in the report, it was noted that the review had highlighted 8 Red services, 10 Amber services and 13 Green services.  Changes to the management of bus services following the reduction in funding across Wales were reported, along with details on the full consultation process.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment stressed that this would involve a meaningful consultation process providing the opportunity for relevant stakeholders such as Overview & Scrutiny, Town and Community Councils and all Council Members to feedback their views prior to reaching a decision at Cabinet in December 2013.  In echoing these comments, the Director of Environment reminded Members that a further report would be brought back to the Committee on 13 November 2013.

Councillor A.I. Dunbar expressed concern about notice given to withdraw commercial bus services 9 and X9 whose route included a steep hill and which many elderly people were reliant upon to access essential services.  The Director said it was important to distinguish between the services provided and to bear in mind that the Council had no influence over those run commercially by bus operators and also could not run subsidised services in competition with them.  In addition, operators were within their rights to give 56 days’ notice to the Traffic Commissioner to withdraw services.  The Transportation Manager explained a tendering process was due to commence for replacement bus services to start on 8 September 2013 although these may not be at the same level.  Information would be shared with Members.  Councillor D. Evans had previously raised concerns about the same issue and welcomed the response.

Councillor W.P. Shotton highlighted the importance of detailed consultation with Town and Community Councils, in view of the cuts to bus grant funding across Wales and the Regional Transport Consortia, and suggested that the newly appointed Rural Transport Project Officer could undertake visits to discuss fully.  He also commented on the importance of concessionary bus passes to those in rural and deprived areas of the county.

In response to queries raised by Councillor C.A. Thomas, the Transportation Manager confirmed that Iwan Prys-Jones could present the TAITH Regional Bus Network Strategy to Overview & Scrutiny and that TAITH had taken over the management of the budget for community transport from 1 April 2013 and community transport operators appeared to be satisfied with the funding received.  Following Councillor Thomas’ comments on the D42 ‘on demand’ service to rural communities which helped to transport evening workers, it was explained that this currently operated as part of the Deeside Shuttle and was to be re-tendered.  The Transportation Manager said that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20