Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport seeking approval to the Council’s concessionary travel scheme for 2012 that are proposed to apply from 1 April 2012.

(i)  To approve the scheme in appendix 1, including the method and payment arrangements for reimbursement subject to finalisation of the calculations in recommendation (ii) below. 

(ii)  To reimburse bus operators at a percentage rate plus an amount per generated journey, in accordance with the guidance given by the Department for Transport (DfT) using their reimbursement calculator;

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Economic Development, in consultation with the Executive Director of Corporate Services and the Head of Finance, following consultation with the Cabinet Members for Environment and Transport and Resources, to make any necessary variations or changes to the scheme arising from the outstanding appeal and any revised guidance issued by DfT and to take any action necessary to give effect to the recommendations including but not limited to the service of statutory Notices (including Variation and Participation Notices if required) and participation in and determination of any appeal against the proposed Concessionary Fares Scheme or reimbursement arrangements for 2012/13.

To enable the Council to comply with the statutory requirement to serve bus operators with a minimum 4 months notice of the Concessionary fares Scheme for 2012-13.

It is a statutory requirement that the Council has to publish details of its proposed scheme in advance of the scheme introduction on 1 April 2012. The only options that have been considered are to reduce the entitlement to the statutory minimum in terms of the hours of operation or the decision to make available a local bus pass for those disabled people who do not meet the criteria for a national pass. The Council will continue to make available these local enhancements.