Decision details

To approve the proposals for an Enhanced Partnership Agreement relating to local buses services.

Consideration was given to a report on the Council’s Enhanced Partnership (EP) Plan and Scheme.

Concerns were raised the report did not make it clear there would be Member involvement in the Enhanced Partnership Governance arrangements.  An amendment to the substantive motion was put forward by Councillor M Sewart and seconded by Councillor J Clowes that an additional recommendation be included which confirmed Member involvement in the Enhanced Partnership Governance Structure. In response to the amendment, Mandy Withington, the Principal Lawyer advised that such an amendment would be unconstitutional. 

A further amendment was then put forward by Councillor L Crane and seconded by Councillor C Browne which included an additional recommendation stating that the views of the Committee regarding the importance of Member involvement with the Enhanced Partnership Governance Structure be reported to Members of the BSIP Advisory Panel for their consideration. 

RESOLVED (Unanimous)

1.That the draft Enhanced Partnership Plan (EP Plan) and Scheme (EP Scheme) documents be noted.

2.That the Director of Highways and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Bus Services Member Advisory Panel be authorised, to finalise the draft Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme documents.

3.That the finalised draft EP Plan and Scheme documents be approved and submitted to the Department for Transport before the end of April, in accordance with their deadline.

4.That it be noted the final version of a Cheshire East Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme would be reported to a future meeting of this Committee for approval.

5.That the comments of the Committee regarding the importance of Member involvement in the Enhanced Partnership Governance Structure be reported to Members of the BSIP Advisory Panel.