Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H Wells-Bradshaw, D Bailey and D Bebbington.

To give consideration to the minutes of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 December 2016 and the Jobs, Regeneration and Assets Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 21 November 2016.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 December 2016 and Jobs, Regeneration and Assets Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 21 November 2016.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To provide an opportunity for Members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the agenda.

There were no whipping declarations.

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Note: In order for officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public contacted the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda, at least one working day before the meeting to provide brief details of the matter to be covered. 

There were no members of the public speaking wishing to speak

To consider a presentation on the proposed methodology to complete a borough-wide review of supported local bus services in Cheshire East.  

R Hibbert, Interim Head of Transport Planning attended the meeting to update Members on the Bus Service Review and specifically its methodology. The Council provide financial support to secure the operation of socially necessary bus services throughout the Borough, the service enabled residents to benefit from local bus services at those times when commercial survives did not operate. It was highlighted that the review would cover the 42 bus services that were funded by Cheshire East Council and in accordance with the budget proposals a £1.6m saving was required.

The methodology would include

·         Passenger surveys

·         Accessibility mapping

·         Defining the needs based criteria and priorities, accessibility, contribution to strategic priorities and financial considerations.

·         Mapping of the needs based criteria

·         Redesigning the network

It was agreed that the proposed options would be brought back to the Committee in May 2017, followed by a 10 week consultation exercise, the final recommendations would then be brought back to Committee in November 2017.

The following comments were made:

·         It was  suggested that non users would also need to be consulted to ascertain what would encourage them to use the buses.

·         Direct services to towns should be considered as too many stops could cause the journey time to take too long.

·         Developers should contribute to services through a Section 106 Agreement.

·         The infrastructure for any new developments needed to be fit for purpose.

 RESOLVED

That the proposed options and final recommendations be brought back to the Committee in due course.

To give consideration to the areas of the forward plan which fall within the remit of the Committee.

Consideration was given to the areas of the forward plan which fell within the remit of the Committee

RESOLVED

That the work programme be received

To give consideration to the work programme

Consideration was given to the work programme. It was suggested that due to the rise in homelessness nationally, the possibility of scrutinising this issue in Cheshire East should be reconsidered.

RESOLVED

1.    That the possibility of scrutinising homelessness in Cheshire East be revisited.

2.    That the bus services review remain on the work programme.