Issue - meetings

The Board considered the report on Travel Concessions, which had been referred to the Scrutiny Board from the Council meeting held on 24th February 2010.  Members were advised that with effect from 1st April 2011 responsibility for administering the scheme would be transferred to the County Council.   The Government’s Pre-Budget report in December 2009 had included a package of reforms to concessionary bus travel in England and a report to update Members on the new arrangements would be available from the Head of Community Services in the new municipal year.

Members queried the changes in eligibility for free concessionary bus travel in England, which had also been included in the Pre-Budget report reforms.  The Board was advised that the Government’s intention was to re-establish the link between the age of eligibility for free England wide local bus travel and the state pension age.  Members were concerned that information on these changes should be available to the public, for example through the Customer Service Centre and the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources agreed to follow this up.  Members were also advised that the public could check their eligibility online on the State Pension Age Checker provided by the Department of Works and Pension at www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk.

RESOLVED that no further action be taken.