Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration

Under the Transport Act 2000 (as amended by the Bus Service Act 2017), Mayoral Combined Authorities were provided with powers to implement bus franchising schemes in their area. In June 2017 the Greater Manchester Combined authority (GMCA) exercised this duty, and instructed Transport for greater Manchester (TfGM) to prepare an assessment for a proposed bus franchising scheme for Greater Manchester.

AS required under the Act, authorities looking to implement a bus franchising proposal must consult widely about their proposals. There is also a requirement on the council to publish the consultation document relating to the proposed scheme, the assessment of the proposed scheme and potential alternative options, and the report prepared by the auditor.

The report provides a summary of the proposals and information abou the ongoing consultation exercise.

Officer contacts: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk   or Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the proposed bus franchising scheme consultation response. Under Transport Act 2000 (as amended by the Bus Service Act 2017), Mayoral Combined Authorities were provided with powers to implement bus franchising schemes in their area. In June 2017 the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) exercised this duty, and instructed Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to prepare an assessment for a proposed bus franchising scheme for Greater Manchester.

As required under the Act, authorities looking to implement a bus franchising proposal must consult widely about their proposals. There was also a requirement on the Authority to publish the consultation document relating to the proposed scheme, the Assessment of the proposed scheme and potential alternative options, and the report prepared by the auditor. This report provided a brief summary of the proposals and information about the ongoing consultation exercise.

The Cabinet Member commented that the deadline for the response to be submitted was 8 January. He wanted Bus Franchising to be a success for the whole of Stockport. It had not been clear to him whether additional precepts would be required and clarification was sought on this in the consultation response. The proposal appeared to have widespread support so he was keen that things progressed.

RESOLVED - That, in relation to the Proposed Bus Franchising Consultation Response, the delegation of the submission of the final Council response, to the Corporate Director, Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member Economy and Regeneration be approved.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report sets out a summary of the proposals for a bus franchising scheme for Greater Manchester and information about the ongoing consultation exercise.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to:-

·         To questions asked in the questionnaire

·         Note and comment on the proposed Bus Franchising Scheme to inform the proposed Cabinet response to the consultation.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 464 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a summary of the proposals for a bus franchising scheme for Greater Manchester and information about the ongoing consultation exercise.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• What sort of measures were being put in place to ensure that all consultation responses were examined.
• Some of the questions in the consultation were quite daunting for members of the public to respond to and a Member enquired whether there were any other ways that the views of members of the public could be ascertained. The Cabinet Member agreed to try and make members of the public more aware of the consultation through social media.
• The comments of the Scrutiny Committee would be included in the Council’s response to the consultation which would be submitted to the Cabinet.
• With regard to question 3 – Do you have any comments on the local services that are proposed to be franchised, the Cabinet Member confirmed that he had raised a Member’s previous concern about the 192 bus service not stopping at Stepping Hill hospital with Transport for Greater Manchester.
• Concern was raised about would happen in the transition period after the bus franchising scheme was confirmed, but before it was in operation.
• There would be problems with multi-operator ticketing if people wished to undertake journeys which crossed the boundary of the borough of Stockport. This would seem unfair, for example, to local residents travelling by bus to use local services, such as doctors, which were over the boundary of Stockport.
• The Assessment document highlighted benefits from improvements to driver training which aimed to standardise the training.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.