Agenda item

(a)       That the implementation of the changes as set out within the report and supporting appendices be supported; and

(b)       That the service performance tables be reviewed annually by the Committee including the actions taken by officers to improve the performance of services. 

The Head of Assets and Transportation introduced a report to provide an update on the review of subsidised bus services following the consultation exercise and to confirm the proposed action to be taken in relation to specific bus services. 

He detailed the background to the report and advised of the consultation that had been undertaken which included promotional material being placed in public buildings; website and questionnaires; Town and Community meetings and engagement with this Committee.  He detailed the sources that the feedback had been received from such as petitions, letters, Town and Community Council communications and surgeries which had been held in some parts of Flintshire.  It was reported that there had been a high level of interest in the consultation exercise, including a clear engagement from concessionary pass holders who were generally high users of the County’s bus services.  The Head of Assets and Transportation detailed the feedback from the consultation process and said that the review has used the criteria of the policy approved by Cabinet in April 2013 to develop the future bus service delivery models within the County. 

During the course of the review a number of commercial services had been reduced or terminated by existing operators and the Council had filled and would continue to fill the gaps whilst it considered how to ensure the provision of more long term, affordable and sustainable services.  Paragraph 3.01.2 detailed how the services were generally run within the county which included:-

·        commercial bus services

·        tendered subsidised bus services

·        de-minimis

·        demand led

·        and education related

It was reported that during the current financial year, Taith had ensured that existing community transport support arrangements had continued, despite some major schemes seeing a significant reduction in funding when the community transport concessionary fares initiative ceased.  The issues that were still to be overcome were detailed in paragraph 3.02.3. 

The Head of Assets and Transportation explained that a Rural Transport Project Officer had been appointed on a 12 months fixed contract as part of a rural development plan bid in conjunction with Cadwyn Clwyd.  Some of the work which had been undertaken within the rural communities was detailed in the report.  Appendix 4 provided information on service; route; cost per passenger; options presented to Committee on 23 July 2013; summary of consultation response and the proposal for each service having considered feedback and the application of the Policy by officers. 

The Environment and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Facilitator read out a question from Councillor Cindy Hinds about funding of school transport. In response the Cabinet Member for Environment said that where parents had chosen to send their child to the nearest school which was three miles or more from their home, then a bus service would be provided to take the child to and from school.  However the issue raised by Councillor Hinds was that the school that the children attended was not their nearest school and as it was parents’ choice, they should pay for the transport, not Flintshire County Council.

Councillor Peter Curtis referred to the shuttle bus which was customer led and raised concern about the buses travelling around the county empty.  The Transportation Manager said that it was a demand led service and during the peak hours of 5am and 9am seven buses were used but during off peak times, only one bus was used as there was little or no demand for the service.  Councillor Curtis said that there were areas with a very limited service and asked if the buses could be re-routed to those areas instead.  The Transportation Manager said that this was not possible as they were being used for other services already.  Councillor Colin Legg asked if it was possible to have buses from outlying areas to Mold and Holywell on market days to encourage bus use.  The Transportation Manager said that where there was a peak of bus users, better organisation of bus routes was considered but added that it was important to balance the needs of all bus users. 

Councillor Veronica Gay referred to two buses that were funded by Cheshire West & Chester Council (CW&C) that only served some parts of Saltney and took passengers into Chester but did not take residents to the local shops.  She asked if re-routing of these buses could be discussed with CW&C.  The Transportation Manager confirmed that regular meetings were held with officers from CW&C but reminded Members that Flintshire County Council had no control over commercial services. 

Councillor Haydn Bateman asked if the school buses could be utilised after they had completed the school runs each day.  The Transportation Manager said that the buses could not be used on the service as the buses were not accessible for disabled users.  In response to a further question from Councillor Bateman, the Transportation Manager said that the majority of respondents to the paper based survey were over 60 years of age. 

The Chairman felt that some of the rural communities could suffer in the process and asked if agreeing routes with Town and Community Councils and the rural transport officer and local members to pick up from other villages could be considered.  The Transportation Manager said that a series of meetings had already taken place with Town and Community Councils but said that she would ensure that the issue was raised.  She added that other options were being considered along with best practice from other Councils in Wales and England. 

The Chairman suggested that the service performance tables be reviewed annually by the Committee including the actions taken by officers to improve the performance of services. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the implementation of the changes as set out within the report and supporting appendices be supported; and

(b)       That the service performance tables be reviewed annually by the Committee including the actions taken by officers to improve the performance of services.