Issue - meetings

The Board received an update on the proposed approach to tendered bus service contracts post-July.

At present, Government covid-related funding was due to end on 31 March 2023. The MCA Board had agreed to support the current network until July, whatever happened to Government funding.

The Director of Public Transport Operations advised that although Government had been due to confirm in January whether they planned to continue covid support for the bus sector, they had yet to make an announcement.

Given the uncertainty surrounding future funding it was intended to put 3 year contracts in place to replace the current short term versions. Tenders were planned to be issued to replicate the existing tendered services as well as those which were previously unsuccessful, up to a total annual contract value of £18.75m, a significant increase on preceding years. The results of the public consultation undertaken in 2022 would be used to prioritise services to be protected.

Members were cautioned that even if Government funding was extended, there were still numerous issues facing the network and difficult decisions would need to be made.

The Director of Public Transport Operations added that local authorities would be kept informed throughout the tender process. It was proposed that once Government had confirmed future funding, a meeting with Leaders be held to outline the extent of the network which could be secured. Leaders would also be consulted prior to contracts being issued and tenders awarded.

ACTION: The Director of Public Transport Operations to compile an information sheet on the amount of Government and MCA funding currently supporting the bus network to be circulated to Members of the Board.

RESOLVED that the Board:

1.    Acknowledge the complexity and uncertainty of the funding landscape, compounded by the late decisions from Department of Transport (DfT) on any extension to Bus Recovery Grant (BRG) funding.

2.    Support the proposal to continue to use the prioritisation of bus service types as defined by the public engagement undertaken in August 2022 ahead of anticipated cuts originally due in October 2022.

3.    Support the approach that SYMCA officers allocate the full available budget to protect bus services on the basis of the priorities set out.

4.    Support the timeline of tendered service contract tender issue and award.

(Cllr Blackham left the meeting.)