Agenda item

Report of the Service Director (Resident and Neighbourhood) setting out the outcomes of the consultation and a new proposed option for the future delivery of the Community Bus Service.

It is recommended that Cabinet:

(a)   Note the outcome of the consultation;

(b)   Agree in principle to the Council working in partnership with Communities 1st (Charity number: 1187164) to deliver the Council’s Community Bus Service, subject to due diligence being completed;

(c)   Agree to waive Contract Procedure Rules as set out in Section 8 of the report; and

(d)   Delegate authority to the Service Director (Resident and Neighbourhood), in consultation with the Executive Member (Housing), to enter into an agreement with Communities 1st.

Report of the Service Director (Resident and Neighbourhood) setting out the outcomes of the consultation and a new proposed option for the future delivery of the Community Bus Service.

(1)          The Decision Taken

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

It is recommended that Cabinet:

(a)  Note the outcome of the consultation;

(b) Agree in principle to the Council working in partnership with Communities 1st (Charity number: 1187164) to deliver the Council’s Community Bus Service, subject to due diligence being completed;

(c)   Agree to waive Contract Procedure Rules as set out in Section 8 of the report; and

(d)  Delegate authority to the Service Director (Resident and Neighbourhood), in consultation with the Executive Member (Housing), to enter into an agreement with Communities 1st.

(2)        Reasons for the Decision

The Council has been reviewing the Community Bus Service as it is recognised that significant capital investment is needed to replace the existing fleet of buses and due to changes in the use of the service post COVID.

A consultation took place during the summer to review the current use of the service and to get feedback on a different service delivery model, which would have seen both the Shopper Hopper and Dial A Ride service delivered by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC).  HCC’s existing Dial-A-Ride fees would apply and based on the consultation feedback; some service users indicated they would stop using the community bus service because of this increase in cost.

It is recognised that this service supports users’ independence and is valued by those and the families of those that use it. Therefore, Officers have been exploring a possible partnership with Communities 1st, who are a charity who offer multiple support services across Hertfordshire, including community transport services. 

If the Council were to deliver the community bus service through this partnership, it would be delivered on the basis that:

•   The Council would continue to subsidise the cost of this service. 

•   Three buses from the Council’s existing fleet would be transferred to Communities 1st to support the delivery of the service initially, with replacement buses to be provided by Communities 1st as soon as practicable, once the service is established.

•   There would be no change to the service for users and bus fares will be frozen until April 2024. After this, fees would increase by £1 per return journey each year up to 2026/27, making the maximum fee £6 per return journey.

Several added value initiatives would also be included to support the service and users. This could include:

(a)   Use of established volunteer pool of ‘bus buddies’ to support shopping in store, fetching items, carrying bags and additional support for users with boarding on/off bus.

(b)   Additional access to volunteer support services e.g., additional volunteer support for local community car scheme and volunteers within this district to support ‘bring shopping to you’ service which is funded by HCC.

(c)   Offer of organised coach trips and day trips, including private hire of transport for local community groups and charities.

(d)   Additional support with the marketing and promotion of the scheme to encourage more service users.