Issue - meetings

There will be a presentation on this item at the meeting. The paper is attached.

The Chair invited Andy Strong – Public Transport Manager to introduce the report (a copy of the report which was tabled at the meeting is now attached to the agenda papers for this meeting or available from Democratic Services). The report covered the following:

·  Background on Community Transport

·  Current Issues

·  Strategic Review

·  Total Transport Pilot Fund

·  Paper by Councillor Brian Simmons

·  Recommendation

The officer addressed the points made under Item 6 by Mr Hounsell, he explained that relative funding should be covered by internal audit. He also recommended that the Panel receive a more substantial report in early 2016.

There was some discussion around the nature of the consultation on this issue. The officer explained that he would expect a consultant to speak to representatives of users (village agents) and transport providers. He explained that it was not possible to conduct a public consultation.

Councillor Turner explained that some elderly people in Bath have difficulties in booking transport. The officer asked the Councillor to make him aware of these issues.

Councillor Butters suggested that the Wellow scheme be looked at in this review. The officer agreed that this scheme is a good model.

Councillor Romero asked that the report in 2016 will have identified all the needs of the users. She also asked about submitting tenders for home to school transport and whether areas other than Chew Valley were being looked at. It was agreed that Councillor Simmons paper will be circulated to all Panel members. The officer explained that any scheme would need a relevant permit to bid for home to school transport contracts. The officer agreed that it was hoped that a good model could be established and set up elsewhere.

There was a long discussion around the pilot scheme and the strategic review. There were concerns on the length of time the consultation would take and Members were also concerned that public consultation should be carried out.

It was Resolved that:

·  The Panel consider a full report on the outcomes of the current work on community transport at a meeting in January 2015; and

·  As part of the total transport Pilot Fund, consultants Mott McDonald undertake public consultation and visits in the area.