Agenda item

To consider a report by the Section Manager: Passenger Transport (copy enclosed) which provides information and seeks observations on changes to the way bus services are funded which will have a marked impact on fares and levels of service provided.

10.15 a.m.

A copy of a report by the Section Manager: Passenger Transport, which detailed how bus services were organised, changes to Welsh Government (WG) funding for bus and related services and the consequences for the County Council, and proposed mitigation measures had been circulated with the papers for the meeting.  The report also started the consultation process on the potential reductions in services.

The Section Manager: Passenger Transport introduced the report and explained that bus services in Denbighshire had improved following an increase in numbers, with passengers travelling free of charge under the Cerdyn Cymru arrangements for people over 60, and those with certain disabilities.  This reflected additional County Council and WG funding for newer and more accessible vehicles and improvements in frequency.

The report detailed the three categories of bus services in Wales which include Commercial, Contract and Other services.  The status of each bus service in Denbighshire had been summarised in Appendix 1 to the report.  The bus network had evolved incrementally over a number of years, particularly since the deregulation of bus services.  Denbighshire had enjoyed a relatively stable and growing local bus market and the factors relating to the level of service provision in each respective area had been outlined in the report.

It was explained that the several sources of support for the provision of bus services were changing and would all be affected by recent WG announcements, which had been received too late for consideration under the Council’s budget setting process for the current financial year.  The changes would include reductions in the Local Transport Services Grant (LTSG) from £396,000 to £288,000, over a full year.  Subsequently, the WG had offered a minimum of three months’ transitional funding, possibly extending to six or even nine months.  The extension would be dependent upon a national, strategic ministerial review of funding which might see radical changes.

Members were informed that despite the potential future funding changes Denbighshire would need to plan for an imminent reduction in WG bus funding.  Details of funding arrangements for bus services, and the impact of the WG’s changes, had been included in Appendix 2 to the report and suggested possible future changes had been outlined in Appendix 3.  Officers suggested that there would be a need to accommodate service pressures for changes to bus services and a modest overspend in 2011/12.  Savings of approximately £145,000 would be required over a full year on a combined 2011/12 budget of £911,000.  It was felt that most of the proposed changes could prove unpalatable and, for the reasons stated in Appendix 3, consultation had been recommended with stakeholders putting forward alternatives which officers considered to be more acceptable.  The officers confirmed that there were no proposals to alter or reduce services which transport school children.  Information pertaining to bus services which transport school children and fare paying passengers was provided for the Committee, together with, details relating to the use of single fares, day and rover tickets.

In reply to questions from Councillor J. Butterfield regarding the provision of bus services to hospitals for both patients and visitors, particular reference being made to difficulties in accessing Abergele Hospital.  The Section Manager: Passenger Transport explained that nationally between 2% and 5% of passengers use bus services to travel to hospitals.  He confirmed that services were provided to all main Hospitals and consultation would continue with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BUHB), who was reviewing patient services, and the Ambulance Trust with a view to identifying passenger transport service requirements.  In response to a suggestion from Councillor Butterfield it was agreed that the Committee receive an information report on Community Health Transport Scheme Pilot.

The following issues were raised and responses provided:-

-          The role of the Bus Users Forum was outlined by Councillor H.Ll. Jones.  He also raised concerns regarding the X94 Wrexham to Barmouth service and the accuracy of details in respect of the number 50 Uwch y Dre to Ysgol Caer Drewyn service, as detailed in Appendix 3 to the report.  Councillor Jones referred to an historic agreement, when Ysgol Caer Drewyn had been established, which permitted pupils attending that school from the Uwch y Dre area to be entitled to free school transport.

-          The Section Manager: Passenger Transport provided responses to Members questions relating to the possible extension of services in the Dee Valley, services to Betws Gwerfil Goch, St Asaph Business Park and the number 98 Llangollen to Llantysilio service.  He explained that funding issues raised regarding the Clwydian Ranger Service could be discussed with Cadwyn Clwyd. 

The Chair explained that he felt it would be important that details pertaining to service usage were provided to members of the public as part of the consultation process.  Members noted the need to consult with residents and bus passengers on proposed changes and agreed that a Working Group be convened to consider the findings of the consultation exercise prior to a report on the proposed measures to address the reduction in funding being considered by Cabinet.  Councillors P.A. Evans, T.R. Hughes, C.H. Williams and H.O. Williams were appointed to serve on the Working Group.  The Committee also nominated and seconded Councillor H. Hilditch-Roberts for appointment as Chairman of the Rural Transport Forum.

RESOLVED – the Communities Scrutiny Committee agree that:-

(a)   the report be received;

(b)   officers consult with the wider community as regards potential bus service cuts and, as part of the consultation exercise, the public be provided with information on service usage;

(c)   a Working Group be convened to consider the findings;

(d)   the Joint Head of Highways & Infrastructure produces a further report, for Cabinet, summarising the results of the consultation, and views of the Working Group, and proposing specific measures, in line with the timescale demanded by the Welsh Government and the budget available, and

(e)   Councillor H. Hilditch-Roberts be appointed Chairman of the Rural Transport Forum.