Issue - meetings

The Director of Transport, Environment and Planning to present a report which seeks approval to facilitate the submission of the necessary documentation to the Department for Transport (DfT) to secure Bus Service Improvement Plan funding.

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.

The Corporate Director of Place and the Public Transport Planner presented a report which sought approval to facilitate the submission of the necessary documentation to the Department for Transport (DfT) to secure Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding.

On 20 May 2021, Executive had endorsed a decision to pursue an Enhanced Partnership for buses (EP) (Minute 138 of that meeting refers) and the council had subsequently submitted a BSIP to the DfT by the deadline of 31 October 2021.  On 4 April 2022, after several delays, the DfT had announced the indicative BSIP funding allocations, York’s share being £17.36 m.  To receive this sum, the council must submit a draft ‘summary table’ by 2 May showing how it intended to use the funding.  The finalised table, with a draft EP Plan and Scheme, must be submitted by 30 June, followed by statutory consultations prior to delivery of the EP.  Approval was sought to delegate the necessary actions to the Director in order to meet the DfT’s deadlines.

In supporting the proposals, the Chair and the Executive Member for Transport thanked officers for their efforts in securing the indicative funding, and highlighted plans for future improvements to bus services in York.  Having noted the comments made under Public Participation on this item, it was

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.