Agenda item

Recommendations

Executive Members are asked to

(i)             note the contents of the YNYCA report

(ii)            to make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer for his consideration when exercising his emergency delegated powers in response to the YNYCA decision relating to Local Transport Powers on 27 March 2026.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Environment regarding arrangements for the future delegation of Local Transport Functions from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA).  Executive were requested to make recommendations to the Council’s Chief Executive Officer as to the acceptance of any delegation of Local Transport Powers.

Attached as an appendix to the report was a report of the YNYCA Director of Transport considering the delegation which was considered by YNYCA at its meeting on 27 March 2026, for members to note.  At that meeting it was resolved that the Mayor’s devolved powers relating to the provision of bus services be delegated to NYC and CYC from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, subject to constituent councils’ acceptance. 

In introducing the report the Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, Councillor Malcolm Taylor, emphasised the importance of ensuring the continuation of bus services for the public.  The Corporate Director Environment, Karl Battersby, confirmed that services had previous been funded through Network North funding, then last year through Combined Authority funding with £1.7m made available last year.  A 2 year funding package was currently proposed, however there remained a £200k pa funding shortfall, with services currently being subsidised by NYC.

There followed a discussion in which the following points were made:

·       It was noted that the Mayor had indicated that he wished to take control of the bus network, however this issue was still unresolved and there remained unanswered questions about funding, subsidies and service continuity

·       Members felt strongly that NYC should accept the proposed arrangements in principle, but further clarity on funding was needed.  Bus services currently subsidised by NYC would need to be funded by the Mayor once responsibility transferred.

·       Members considered issues of access to bus services, particularly in rural communities, and the need for investment in bus station infrastructure.

Members supported a recommendation that NYC continue to operationally manage bus services as previously, but that confirmation on terms and conditions would be required before there could be a formal agreement on a 12 month delegation of powers.

The Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services, Barry Khan, advised that the acceptance of the delegation would be a Council decision.  Given the urgency to make a decision by 31 March 2026 it was recommended that Executive make comments for the Chief Executive to consider prior to him making the decision under urgency powers.

Following the vote on the matter the Chief Executive confirmed that he would consider the recommendation made by Executive and the view that further information should be sought from the Combined Authority particularly around those terms and conditions moving forward. 

Resolved (unanimously)

That Executive

1)    note the contents of the YNYCA report

2)    note that agreement to accept the delegation is a Council decision, which would be taken by the Chief Executive under urgency powers in consultation with the Leader, Deputy Leader, and Corporate Director of Resources

3)    recommend to the Chief Executive Officer that North Yorkshire Council resolve to manage the buses as previously but defer the decision to accept the Mayor’s devolved powers relating to the provision of bus services until 31 March 2027 until further clarification about budget (including terms and conditions of grant funding) and decision making are received from the Combined Authority