Decision details

National Bus Strategy - Enhanced Partnership

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

Decision on intent for an Enhanced Partnership - National Bus Strategy

Decisions:

Note by Clerk: The Chairman agreed that this item be added to the agenda as an urgent item of business.

 

“The Government’s National Bus Strategy offers this authority an opportunity to work with operators to bid for money to update old vehicles, improve passenger facilities and encourage bus companies to innovate for the future. While we need to understand any residual costs for Staffordshire taxpayers, there is the potential to fund cleaner, more modern buses and make it easier, cleaner and more convenient for passengers.”

 

David Williams, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport.

 

Reasons for the Decision – To consider whether the County Council, as the Local Transport Authority, should form an Enhanced Partnership or Franchise model by end of June 2021 as part of the Department for Transport’s recently published National Bus Strategy.

 

Decision – (a) That the County Council commits to developing an Enhanced Partnership (EP), as outlined within the National Bus Strategy (NBS).

 

(b) That it be noted that additional capacity funding of £100k has been received to date, and further capacity funding is expected to be announced following confirmation of intention to work towards an EP.

 

(c) That the implications for the local bus network in Staffordshire, should it be decided not to develop an EP, be noted.

 

(d) That the potential impact on other DfT funding opportunities (not public transport related), should it be decided not to develop an EP, be noted.

Report author: Dominic Davidson

Publication date: 17/06/2021

Date of decision: 16/06/2021

Decided at meeting: 16/06/2021 - Cabinet

Effective from: 23/06/2021

Accompanying Documents: