Decision details

Purpose of Report: To request approval for the York Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme, a binding statutory partnership agreement between the council and bus operators which will:
- replace the existing voluntary York Quality Bus Partnership;
- act as the delivery scheme for the council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan; and
- enable the council and York’s local bus operators to continue to receive central government grant funding for bus services beyond March 2022.

The Executive will be asked to approve the final text of the York Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme, enabling it to take legal effect from 31st March 2022.

Resolved:  (i)      That authority be delegated to the Director of Transport, Environment & Planning, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Executive Member for Transport and the Director of Governance or her delegated officers, to:

a)   prepare and submit a draft Bus Service Improvement Plan summary table to Department for Transport by 2 May 2022;

b)   prepare and submit a finalised Bus Service Improvement Plan summary table to the Department for Transport by 30 June 2022;

c)   prepare and submit a draft Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme to Department for Transport by 30 June 2022;

d)   commence the statutory 28 day operator consultation objection period;

e)   commence the statutory 28 day stakeholder consultation.

(ii)      That it be noted that a further report will be brought to Executive setting out the final arrangements that have been submitted to Department for Transport.

Reason:     To ensure that £17.36m in Department for Transport Bus Service Improvement Plan funding is secured and that the council can proceed with the process of establishing a statutory bus Enhanced Partnership to deliver its stated Bus Service Improvement Plans objectives in line with the National Bus Strategy.