Purpose

To seek the Cabinet Member’s approval to enter into a partnership agreement with East Midlands International Airport in relation to the funding of bus service 9 and to accept their funding contribution of £50,000 towards the cost of the service.

Decision

That the Cabinet Member:

a)   Agrees to enter into a partnership agreement with East Midlands International Airport in relation to the funding of bus Service 9 as detailed in the report: and

b)   Accepts the funding contribution of £50,000 towards the cost of the service.

Reasons for the decision

The proposals will provide additional funding towards the cost of the Service 9 which may in turn allow some existing committed BSIP funding to be used elsewhere.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - Do not enter into the partnership agreement with East Midlands International Airport or accept the funding contribution of £50,000 towards the cost of Service 9.  The agreement does not require any additional journeys to be operated on the Service 9 over and above those already provided. The funding could allow some of the existing committed BSIP funding for Service 9 to be potentially used to support other services in Derbyshire subject to Cabinet Member approval. This option is therefore not recommended.

Option 2 –To enter into the partnership agreement with East Midlands International Airport and accept the £50,000 in funding towards the cost of Service 9. The agreement does not require additional journeys to be provided on Service 9 over and above those already in operation. Accepting the funding could potentially allow some of existing committed BSIP funding for the service to be used to support other services in Derbyshire subject to Cabinet Member approval. This option is therefore recommended.