Agenda item

North Northamptonshire Enhanced Partnership

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

(KEY DECISION)

 

That the Executive:

 

a)    Made the Enhanced Partnership Plan and Enhanced Partnership Scheme, which form Appendices A and B of the report, as proposed in accordance with Section 138G of the Transport Act 2000. Table 2 within Appendix B of the report is subject to sufficient resources being available.

 

b)    Agreed that a policy for subsidising bus services should be developed in consultation with the Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets and, following consultation in accordance with the Transport Act 1985, recommendations should be brought back to the Executive for approval.

 

c)    Noted the recent announcement of additional Government funding (Local Transport Fund as referenced in paragraph 5.7 of the report) to support bus services and the requirement to work with bus operators to co-design a financially sustainable and passenger-focused public transport network, that works for changing travel patterns post-pandemic.  The allocation for North Northamptonshire is still to be confirmed and this funding will be allocated, in consultation with the Executive member for Highways, Travel and Assets and the Executive Director for Place and Economy.

 

d)    Agreed to allocate £50,000 from existing budgets for 2022/23 to work with operators on a marketing strategy for bus services.

 

 

Reason for Recommendation: An Enhanced Partnership would form a useful forum to tackle the challenges which the bus industry will face over the coming years and provide the basis to spend any funding secured from Government through the Bus Service Improvement Plan. Meeting the Council’s legal duties to consult on and publish a policy on subsidised bus services and to provide North Northamptonshire communities with the best possible level of bus service with post-pandemic travel patterns.

 

Alternative Options Considered:

 

·           Whilst the Council has the flexibility to choose not to make the Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme at this stage, this is not recommended as it would not provide as sound a basis for co-design of a financially sustainable and passenger-focused bus network with local bus operators.

 

Minutes:

Cllr Graham Lawman presented a report that sought Executive approval to adopt and therefore make the Enhanced Partnership Plan between the Council and local bus operators, principally Stagecoach. The plan itself sought to improve the service to bus passengers, enhance attractiveness to users and potential users thereby increasing service utilisation.

 

The report also sought approval to develop a new policy for subsidising services. This policy would be submitted to a future meeting of Executive for approval. The meeting noted that the former county council had cancelled its bus subsidy policy, therefore there was a requirement to undertake a consultation alongside the development of the new policy in order to be able to tender for subsidised routes.

 

Cllr Lawman noted that it remained possible for other organisations, such as operators and parish and town councils, to come forward with suggested routes inclusive of funding.

 

The report before members covered two funds, the Local Transport Fund and Bus Service Improvement Fund. A recent government announcement in relation to the Bus Service Improvement Fund had seen the Council miss out on grant funding. Details of any potential Local Transport Fund award were yet to be announced. As a result of this position, existing funding would be required to work with bus operators to co-design a financially sustainable and passenger focused public transport network that worked for post-pandemic travel patterns.

 

Members noted a considerable number of plans that formed part of the partnership with many of these to be taken forward within the current funding framework, either by the Council or service operators.

 

Cllrs Helen Harrison and Harriet Pentland welcomed the plan due to the potential benefits of improved sustainable public transport and the health and wellbeing of local communities.

 

 

RESOLVED:

 

(KEY DECISION)

 

That the Executive:

 

a)    Made the Enhanced Partnership Plan and Enhanced Partnership Scheme, which form Appendices A and B of the report, as proposed in accordance with Section 138G of the Transport Act 2000. Table 2 within Appendix B of the report is subject to sufficient resources being available.

 

b)    Agreed that a policy for subsidising bus services should be developed in consultation with the Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets and, following consultation in accordance with the Transport Act 1985, recommendations should be brought back to the Executive for approval.

 

c)    Noted the recent announcement of additional Government funding (Local Transport Fund as referenced in paragraph 5.7 of the report) to support bus services and the requirement to work with bus operators to co-design a financially sustainable and passenger-focused public transport network, that works for changing travel patterns post-pandemic.  The allocation for North Northamptonshire is still to be confirmed and this funding will be allocated, in consultation with the Executive member for Highways, Travel and Assets and the Executive Director for Place and Economy.

 

d)    Agreed to allocate £50,000 from existing budgets for 2022/23 to work with operators on a marketing strategy for bus services.

 

 

Reason for Recommendation: An Enhanced Partnership would form a useful forum to tackle the challenges which the bus industry will face over the coming years and provide the basis to spend any funding secured from Government through the Bus Service Improvement Plan. Meeting the Council’s legal duties to consult on and publish a policy on subsidised bus services and to provide North Northamptonshire communities with the best possible level of bus service with post-pandemic travel patterns.

 

Alternative Options Considered:

 

·           Whilst the Council has the flexibility to choose not to make the Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme at this stage, this is not recommended as it would not provide as sound a basis for co-design of a financially sustainable and passenger-focused bus network with local bus operators.

 

Supporting documents: