Purpose

To update the Cabinet Member on the work undertaken to develop the proposed Gold Card Companion Pass scheme

To seek the Cabinet Member’s approval to implement the Gold Card Companion Pass scheme proposed in the consultation from April 2024 on a 1 year pilot basis only until the end of March 2025.

Decision

That the Cabinet Member:

a)     Notes the work undertaken to develop the proposed Gold Card Companion Pass scheme including the results of a recent consultation exercis; and

b)     Approves the implementation of a pilot Gold Card Companion Pass scheme as proposed in the consultation from 1 April 2024 on a one year pilot basis only until 31 March 2025. 

Reasons for the decision

The proposals will significantly improve certain disabled Gold Card holders ability to access shopping, health care, employment, educational and leisure opportunities across the County.

Furthermore, use of public transport reduces the number of private vehicles on the road and a positive consequence of that is the reduction in CO2 emissions. With many people becoming increasingly concerned for the wider environment, combined with the rising costs to own, and run a private car, it is anticipated that many travellers will be contemplating more sustainable travel options to benefit the environment and their own living costs. It is therefore imperative that the public has access to a transport network that works for them.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - Do nothing and continue with the current Gold Card scheme for people with the disabilities specified by the DfT.  There is a concern that the current arrangement means that certain people who are entitled to a Gold Card on disabilities grounds are unable to make use of it because they can only travel if accompanied by a companion and the cost of travel for these companions is acting as a barrier. This option is therefore not recommended.

Option 2 – Allow all disabled Gold Card holders, regardless of their disability, to have the option of a Companion Pass on a permanent basis rather than just the specific groups proposed in the consultation.  There is uncertainty about the likely cost of the scheme proposed in the consultation. The estimated cost figures in this report are based on the experience of other LTAs across the country that have introduced a similar limited entitlement Companion Pass. Until there is more certainty on what the proposed limited scheme will actually cost in Derbyshire, offering a more generous scheme would present an unknown financial risk at a time when the Council is already experiencing serious financial pressures. There is also no funding source identified beyond March 2025 to pay for the scheme. This option is therefore not recommended.

Option3 – Introduce a Companion Pass on a permanent basis for the groups specified in the consultation. Currently, there is no long term funding sources identified to pay for the Companion Pass scheme. The DfT has confirmed that money from the BSIP can be used during 2024-25 but this is only available for one year. No funding has been identified to cover the cost of the scheme from 2025-26 onward. Introducing a permanent scheme with no funding source beyond the first year is not acceptable and it would present an unknown financial risk at a time when the Council is already experiencing serious financial pressures. This option is therefore not recommended.     

Option 4 – Introduce a Companion Pass as a one year pilot for the groups specified in the consultation. While there are challenges introducing the scheme on a one year pilot, due to the potential reputational risk of having to end the scheme in March 2025 and the considerable amount of work this scheme requires, BSIP funding will cover the costs of the project for this period. This option is therefore recommended.