Agenda item

Recommendations

That, subject to any comments Executive Members may have, the following be proposed to the Chief Executive Officer for his approval under his emergency delegated powers:

i.   The option of Enhanced Partnership as the preferred option and agree the draft notice attached at Annex 1 can be published.  Noting that a further decision on the council’s final option position could be taken In October 2021 when details of the Enhanced Partnership work with operators, information on what the North Yorkshire BSIP would contain, any new details on funding and future funding available at that time.

ii.  The objectives set out in section 6.4 for inclusion in the council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director for Business and Environmental Services updating Executive Members on the National Bus Strategy and actions Local Transport Authorities were expected to take, and presenting the options and a recommendation in relation to the council’s response.

County Councillor Andrew Lee presented the report, confirming the new national strategy was aimed at transforming bus services to deliver a more a more innovative demand-led service that was reliable, easier to understand, with improved frequency and more evening and weekend buses, which would be beneficial to a large rural county like North Yorkshire.

He drew attention to the funding provided by Government for bus service support during the pandemic.  He also detailed the requirement of the new National Bus Strategy, which would enable Local Transport Authorities to continue to access the proposed £3b Fund for bus services, subject to signing up to one of three options, as detailed in the report.

It was noted that the preferred option for NYCC was an Enhanced Partnership i.e. an agreement with local bus operators to work together to improve bus services, which would require engagement with operators to understand what services are needed. 

It was also noted that early engagement had already taken place with stakeholders, in support of developing the required Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), aimed at enhancing bus services across North Yorkshire, promoting healthier travel choices and lowering emissions through reduced car travel, which needed to be ready for submission by the end of October 2021.

Michael Leah, Assistant Director for Travel & Environment, Waste and Countryside Service confirmed the vision articulated in the report was only draft at this stage and would be further developed as the consultation and engagement progressed.

Executive Members agreed the National Bus Strategy had the potential to be really exciting for the County, bringing particular benefits for the more rural areas and were looking forward to the results from the demand-responsive pilot currently underway. 

County Councillor Paul Haslem suggested the wording of the Vision should include reference to the BSIP forming part of the County Council’s Integrated de-carbonisation Strategy.

County Councillor Gareth Dadd welcomed the report but noted a word of caution around raising expectations, and suggested the Authority needed to be mindful of any potentially unsustainable cost legacy that might arise in the longer term, from a service with limited passenger use. 

Having considered the report and the information provided at the meeting, Executive Members

Resolved:

To recommend to the Chief Executive Officer that using his emergency delegated powers he approve:

i.     The option of Enhanced Partnership as the preferred option and agree the draft notice attached at Annex 1 can be published.  Noting that a further decision on the council’s final option position could be taken In October 2021 when details of the Enhanced Partnership work with operators, information on what the North Yorkshire BSIP would contain, any new details on funding and future funding available at that time.

ii.    The objectives set out in section 6.4 for inclusion in the council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan.