Purpose

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the
recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee following
the Committee’s review of rural bus service provision and the
impacts that a reduction in service has on rural
communities.  Other recommendations
emanating from the review have been directed to appropriate
external bodies/agencies for consideration. 

Decision

Resolved:
 
That the following be approved:
1.       Works with the local
transport authority (SCC), bus operators, the Chamber of Commerce
and user groups, the Cabinet initiates a cross-party steering group
to work with relevant Cabinet members to review the short, medium
and long-term issues affecting rural public transport in West
Suffolk. 
 
Suggested areas
that the group could consider are set out at section 3, paragraph
3.3 of the Cabinet referral report (CAB/WS/25/003), and is intended
to complement, and not duplicate, the Bus Service Improvement Plan
(BSIP) and the work of the Suffolk Enhanced Partnership.
 
2.       The relevant Cabinet
members work with bus operators, users and the County Council to
consider the future of West Suffolk Council’s own bus
stations.  Bus operators and the local
transport authority to be asked to contribute financially to any
changes identified as being necessary.
 
3.       The Cabinet Member
for Growth lobbies local MPs and government on the level of, and
long-term certainty for, rural transport funding.
 
4.       The Cabinet Member
for Families and Communities uses the Town and Parish Forum to
actively encourage and actively support local community groups
and/or partnerships of town and parish councils, in preparing bids
for grant funding, including BSIP.
 
5.       The Cabinet Member
for Growth seeks an invitation from Suffolk County Council, as
local transport authority, to attend future meetings of the Suffolk
Enhanced Partnership which considers the Bus Service Improvement
Plan for the county.?