Supporting & Strengthening Community Transport
Proposer: Cllr. Hannah Gostlow
Seconder: Cllr. Peter Lacey
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, coordination, 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.
Minutes:
The Chair informed Members that there was one notice of motion on the agenda: Supporting and Strengthening Community Transport. The Chair was required to give a ruling on whether motions should be debated at the meeting or referred to the Scrutiny Board to determine which committee was the most appropriate to consider the matter.
The Chair determined that the motion be referred to the Scrutiny Board
The Chair reminded Members that when considering notices of motion where a motion had been referred to the Scrutiny Board by the Chair the mover of that motion could move ‘that the motion be considered now’ and a vote taken.
282(1) Supporting and Strengthening Community Transport
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, coordination, 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.
Proposer – Councillor Hannah Gostlow
Seconder – Councillor Peter Lacey
It was moved by Councillor Hannah Gostlow and seconded by Councillor Peter Lacey that the motion be considered now.
On a vote being taken on moving to the vote on the motion, 28 members voted for the motion and 56 members voted against. The motion therefore fell.
The motion was therefore referred to the Scrutiny Board to determine the most appropriate overview and scrutiny committee to consider the matter and make recommendations to the next meeting of Council.