Decision details

To approve the changes to local bus services in Surrey. These changes will take effect from the start of the 2015/16 academic year.

To agree that officers to come back to Cabinet in subsequent years, to approve further proposals for change in local bus services in Surrey in the financial years 2016/17 and 2017/18.

Following the Local Transport Review report to Cabinet on 23 September 2014,

1.         That the proposed changes to local bus services in Surrey, as detailed in Annex E of the submitted report be approved, and authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning and the Strategic Director for Environment & Infrastructure, to agree any minor adjustments before these changes take effect from 29 August 2015.

2.         That Surrey County Council retains its policy in relation to concessionary fares as described in paragraph 3 of the submitted report.

3.       That the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning and the Strategic Director for Environment and Infrastructure  report back to Cabinet on the consideration of further proposals for change to local bus services in Surrey in the financial years 2016/17 and 2017/18.

Reasons for Decisions:

These recommendations will enable SCC to achieve the required savings needed from the Local Transport Review, as outlined in the MTFP. It will also ensure that Cabinet is kept fully informed throughout, and can take decisions on changes based on best practice and best value in subsequent years of the review.

Recommendations for change are based on:

·         Responses to two public consultations.

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

·         Maintaining services that residents rely on the most such as services that get people to employment, healthcare, school and essential shopping.

·         A funding arrangement with partners that is financially sustainable in the long term.

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