Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Planning and Sustainability seeking approval for the proposed reimbursement rate to be paid to bus operators for revenue forgone as a result of participation in the Council’s Concessionary Fares scheme, attached.

NOTE: This report is presented as a general exception item in accordance with paragraph 15 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of Part 4 of the Council's Constitution, as it has not been included in the Council's Forward Plan.

DECISION MADE:  (Ref: CAB 10/11 5693)

On consideration of the report of the Head of Planning and Sustainability Cabinet agreed the following having complied with paragraph 15 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules:

(i)  To reimburse operators at a rate of 47.6p in the £, plus 7.5p per generated journey, in accordance with the guidance given by the Department for Transport (DfT);

(ii)  To revise the ticket types used in the calculation of the average fare to include day tickets and carnet (multi-trip tickets) in addition to single and returns, as per the guidance issued by the DfT;

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Sustainability, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer, to reimburse smaller operators at a fixed rate by agreement between the parties;

(iv)  To delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Sustainability in consultation with the Solicitor to the Council and the Chief Financial Officer, following consultation with the Cabinet Members for Environment and Transport and Resources and Workforce Planning to make any necessary variations or changes to the 2011/12 scheme arising from any outstanding appeals 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) and participation in and determination of any appeal against the proposed Concessionary Fares Scheme or reimbursement arrangements for 2011/12; and

(v)  To delegate authority to Head of Planning and Sustainability, in consultation with the Solicitor to the Council and the Chief Financial Officer, following consultation with the Cabinet Members for Environment and Transport and Resources and Workforce Planning, to determine and approve payment of any substantiated operator claims for additional capacity and capital costs, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules.