Issue - meetings

To consider a report on the payment of Bus Service Operator Grant following the Department for Transport’s decision to devolve payment of the grant for Council supported bus services to Transport Authorities with effect from 1^st January 2014.

Cabinet considered a report on the payment of Bus Service Operator Grant following the Department for Transport’s decision to devolve payment of the grant for Council supported bus services to Transport Authorities with effect from 1^st January 2014.

This change , initiated by the DfT to give more local control over public transport funding, was welcomed by Cheshire East Council.  It was likely that, over time, this would allow for greater investment in rural bus services as it would give the Council control over a greater pool of funding.

This report sought Cabinet agreement to increase contract payments to allow for distribution of the funding previously undertaken by DfT along the lines included in their guidance.

RESOLVED

That

1.    the report be noted;

2.    the revision of contract payments to operators of current Council supported local bus services to reflect the change in the BSOG payment mechanism be approved; and

3.    it be noted that a fully funded Supplementary Revenue Estimate will be approved in accordance with Finance Procedure Rule A.36, once the grant allocation from Government is known.