Decision details

That Cabinet make a decision to approve the final proposals to bus services identified within the Local Transport Review, in line with the 2016/17 MTFP savings requirement.  This is following negotiations with the bus operators and the completion of a public consultation.  The changes would take effect from September 2016.  The changes referred to are attached in Annexe A of this report.

1.         That the proposed changes to local bus services in Surrey, as detailed in Annex 2 of the submitted report be approved, and that delegated authority be given to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning and the Strategic Director for Environment and Infrastructure to agree any adjustments before these changes take effect from the start of the 2016/17 academic year.

2.         That the award of the nine local bus tenders, as detailed in the Part 2 report (item 17) be approved.

Reasons for Decisions:

These recommendations will enable Surrey County Council to achieve the required savings needed from the review and are based on:

·                Responses to the public consultation on proposed changes.

·                Full understanding of the impact on the recommended changes to the public (including those with protected characteristics) and the environment.

·                Maintaining as many of the services that residents rely on as possible that get them to employment, healthcare, school and essential shopping.

·                Funding arrangement with service operators that is sustainable in the long term.

·                Ensuring the Council complies with Procurement Standing Orders, requiring Cabinet approval for those contracts that reach a specified value.

[The decision on this item may be called in by the Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Scrutiny Board]