Issue - meetings

As part of the budget process for financial years 2016/17 and 2017/18, the Council determined in February 2016 that a full year saving of £350,000 was required to be made in the subsidy provided for local bus services. This report provides detail of the outcome of consultation, relevant usage statistics concerning each service and a response to the recommendations of the Economic Development and Transport Policy & Scrutiny Committee for the consideration of the Executive.

Resolved: That the Executive approve Option B, to retain a reduced subsidy for evening bus services and a scaled back level of service on a proportion of route 20, as set out in paragraphs 49 to 62 of the report.

Reason:     This option would not achieve the savings target agreed through the Council’s budget process, however it would, potentially meet many of the needs identified through the public consultation.

Consideration was given to a report which provided details of the outcome of consultation, relevant usage statistics concerning each Council funded bus service and a response to the recommendations of the Economic Development and Transport Policy and Scrutiny Committee. This followed previous agreement to savings required to subsidies provided to bus services by Council in February 2016.

It was noted that service reductions or alterations had previously been identified through the budget setting process, which as far as possible ensured that all areas with current bus service provision would not be left without any service. Consultation had been undertaken on a proposed list of services identified for withdrawal or modification, the results of which had been reported at Annexes B and C. Additional comments received from the York Bus Forum, the York and District Trade Union Council and users of the no 20 bus route were also circulated at the meeting.

Officers confirmed that the options had all been fully explored, however should the Executive decide not to reduce local bus service expenditure, equivalent savings would have to be found elsewhere in the budget.

Officers presented the following options:

Option A – to withdraw subsidy from the services outlined at Table 2, in the report.

Option B – Retain reduced subsidy for evening services and a scaled back level of service on a proportion of route 20.

Option C – Reverse or modify the February 2016 budgetary decision and identify savings in whole or in part from elsewhere in the Council’s budget.

The Deputy Leader confirmed that, following consultation with residents, the Bus Forum and the Policy and Scrutiny Committee he supported Option B, which would retain the majority of route 20 and the evening services. He gave a commitment that the Council would look to sustain these services for the administrations term of office and to endeavour to fund the services going forward, and that discussions would continue with the commercial operators.

Members welcomed the proposals and thanked Officers for their work, highlighting the need for discussions in Ward’s to encourage the use of services to ensure their retention.

Following further discussion it was

Resolved: That the Executive approve Option B, to retain a reduced subsidy for evening bus services and a scaled back level of service on a proportion of route 20, as set out in paragraphs 49 to 62 of the report. ^1.

Reason:     This option would not achieve the savings target agreed through the Council’s budget process, however it would, potentially meet many of the needs identified through the public consultation.