NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL
15 July 2026
Report of the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the Motion Referred on Supporting and Strengthening Community Transport
Report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services
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1.0
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Purpose of the Report
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1.1 |
To outline the considerations and recommendations of the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny committee to full Council following its review of the Motion on Supporting and Strengthening Community Transport, as referred from full Council (via Scrutiny Board) on 20 May 2026.
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2.0 Background
2.1 At the meeting of full Council on 20 May 2026, the Chair agreed that a Notice of Motion regarding Supporting and Strengthening Community Transport should be referred to Scrutiny Board, for the purpose of determining which overview and scrutiny committee would be most appropriate to consider the Motion further and to bring back its recommendations to full Council. Scrutiny Board met following the Annual Meeting of Council on 21 May 2026 and determined that the Motion would be referred to the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise overview and scrutiny committee.
2.2 The Notice of Motion referred to the committee was proposed by Councillor Hannah Gostlow and seconded by Councillor Peter Lacey. The wording of the Motion was as follows:
2.3 Council notes that Community Transport provides essential, flexible, and locally responsive services across North Yorkshire, supporting independence, wellbeing, and social inclusion - particularly for older residents, disabled people and those experiencing isolation. It enables access to healthcare, education, employment, and social opportunities, and contributes to safer travel for all.
Provision varies across the county, with some communities experiencing limited or inconsistent access. Community Transport is most effective when community led, place based and supported through strong partnership working, with the Council acting in an enabling role. There is an opportunity to improve the consistency, visibility, and coordination of support across North Yorkshire, alongside wider regional transport work.
Council therefore resolves to:
1. Request a report setting out the current Community Transport landscape across North Yorkshire, including:
· existing schemes and coverage
· current forms of Council support
· links with health, social care, and other partners
· alignment with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
· gaps, inconsistencies, or barriers to sustainability.
2. Ask officers to outline options for a strengthened Community Transport support framework, including:
· improved coordination and information sharing
· enhanced visibility of existing schemes
· volunteer recruitment and retention
· access to funding and external opportunities.
· the potential role of commissioning or procurement, where appropriate
3. Work with partners, including the Combined Authority, Integrated Care Board, and community organisations, to ensure Community Transport is appropriately reflected in emerging transport plans and pilots.
4. Establish a cross sector Working Group comprising elected Members, relevant Council officers and representatives from the Community Transport sector and partner organisations, to support coordination, share best practice and shape proportionate, locally responsive recommendations.
5. Report back to the relevant committee within 6–12 months with findings and recommendations that build on existing work and avoid duplication.
Impact considerations
This Motion is not expected to create significant new cost pressures, but rather to strengthen understanding, co-ordination, and the effectiveness of existing activity. It also recognises North Yorkshire Council’s previous investment in Community Transport, ensuring that this valuable foundation is not lost but brought back into the current conversation - linking past initiatives with emerging approaches to shared and demand responsive transport, and maximising social value through collaboration and community benefit.
As mentioned, this Motion has been viewed and discussed by officers prior to submission, ensuring alignment with current workstreams and that proposals complement existing commitments.
In aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it reinforces the Council’s commitment to fair, inclusive, and sustainable transport - contributing locally to global objectives for climate action, equality, wellbeing, and partnership working.
I feel it supports:
· Climate objectives (SDG 13 – Climate Action) by encouraging shared and demand responsive transport, reducing reliance on private car use
· Equality and rural inclusion (SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities; SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities) by addressing disparities in access to transport
· Health and wellbeing (SDG 3 – Good Health and Well Being) through improved access to services and reduced isolation
· Local economic participation (SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth) by supporting access to employment and services
· Social value and community transport (SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals) by building on existing community led transport initiatives and ensuring investment delivers wider public benefit.
2.4 Under section 11 of the Council’s Procedure Rules, where a Motion is referred from Council to a committee (such as overview and scrutiny), the committee considers the Motion and reports back with its recommendations. As such it is the committee’s recommendations which then become the substantive Motion put before the Council and not the original Motion.
2.5 The Constitution also guides that at full Council, “there will be no moving of amendments in relation to, questions upon or any other discussion of or questions on the Motion prior to the vote upon it.” As such it is important that the committee provides clear, concise recommendations in its report, including any necessary amendments made to the Motion.
2.6 Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise overview and scrutiny committee met on 6 July 2026 to consider the Motion further, with a view to reporting back with its recommendation to full Council on 15 July 2026.
3.0 Consideration of the Motion by the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee
3.1 The papers for the meeting of the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 6 July 2026 can be accessed via the following link (see Item 5)
3.2 A summary of the discussion held at the committee meeting is provided below:
· In providing the rationale for the Motion as the proposer, Councillor Gostlow spoke about Community Transport as an essential service for our local communities, run by communities. It was felt Community Transport is a key provision, almost acting as a lifeline, that can help vulnerable residents to live longer, happier and healthier lives. The purpose of the Motion was that whilst recognising the good work being done, to support officers in gathering evidence and identifying service gaps in Community Transport, to be able to investigate these further ahead of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority taking full responsibility for public transport on 1 April 2027. It was felt this Motion was an opportunity to work quickly as North Yorkshire Council to gain reassurance that plans are worked up and in place, and that a full understanding of the service is known ahead of the delivery of Public and Community Transport transferring across next year.
· The imminent transfer of responsibility for the funding and delivery of Public and Community Transport to the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was cited by some committee members as a reason why the submitted Motion text was not supported as written. It was felt the proposals in the original Motion, in particular the proposal to create a working group, were likely to have a limited impact and there was also concern that this would take away officer time and resources from focussing on the transfer of responsibility for funding and service delivery in just nine months’ time. However, there remained a desire for North Yorkshire Council to show its support for strengthening Community Transport to the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, but in a different form to the proposals in the original Motion.
· Councillors also expressed views regarding an apparent disconnect with Community Transport funding into local communities, with the proposal of a working group in the original Motion seen as a good way of getting on top of the detail to have full awareness of the funding channels for the future of the service.
· The ongoing Department for Transport-funded Rural Bus Franchising Pilot exercises by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority were welcomed, including the engagement with rural community groups, Community Anchor organisations and community transport organisations as part of this.
3.3 Having considered the officer report in full, together with the representations by Councillor Gostlow and the discussion of the Members at the committee meeting, the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview & Scrutiny Committee agreed to recommend the following to full Council:
4.0 Recommendations of the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee
4.1 Having reviewed the officer report and taken into account the views expressed by Members at the committee meeting, the following recommendations were agreed:
(a) That the Motion referred, as written, is not supported due to the concern that the proposals within it, in particular the creation of a working group, would have limited impact in the time available and take away officer time and resources from focussing on the imminent transfer of responsibility for the funding and service delivery of public and community transport to the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
(b) That, in addition, agreement is sought by full Council that a letter is sent to the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority requesting that the issues raised within the Notice of Motion be considered as part of the future policy and strategy for Public and Community Transport, and the ongoing work to transfer the responsibility for the funding and delivery of the service from 1 April 2027. It is recommended this letter is signed by all group leaders
(c) That the correspondence (set out in b) be circulated to the members of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority overview and scrutiny committee, to inform future scrutiny in Community Transport following the transfer of responsibilities.
5.0 Financial Implications
5.1 There are no significant financial implications arising from this report.
6.0 Legal Implications
6.1 There are no significant legal implications arising from this report.
7.0 Equalities Implications
7.1 There are no significant equalities implications arising from this report.
8.0 Climate Change Implications
8.1 There are no significant climate change implications arising from this report.
Background Documents:
Constitution of North Yorkshire Council
Barry Khan
Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services
County Hall
Northallerton
7 July 2026
Report Author: Will Baines, Senior Scrutiny Officer
Note: Members are invited to contact the author in advance of the meeting with any detailed queries or questions.