Agenda item

The Cabinet considered the recommendations contained within the Public Transport (Buses) Task Group Scrutiny Report.  The Leader acknowledged the work undertaken by the Task Group and it was noted that the Chairman of the Scrutiny Steering Board was present to respond to any issues raised on the report. 

It was noted that a large number of the recommendations were matters which fell within the remit of the County Council and/or other agencies.  As such, it was felt that the relevant Portfolio Holder, in conjunction with the Chairman of the Task Group (should the Task Group Chairman so wish as it was noted that this was outside of their terms of reference) should refer various matters onto the appropriate body and that the Portfolio Holder should keep the Scrutiny Steering Board updated, via the Board's Recommendation Tracker System, on any progress with the matters in question.  Following discussion, it was

RESOLVED:

(a)       that in relation to Recommendation 1, this matter be referred to the Town Centre Steering Group for it to decide how best to deal with the required interface with the relevant stakeholders for a new bus station for Bromsgrove (including the establishment of any required sub-committee of the Group in order to progress the new bus station), and that the relevant Portfolio Holder, in conjunction with the Chairman of the Public Transport (Buses) Task Group, keep updated as to any developments and update the Scrutiny Steering Board (SSB), via the SSB's Recommendation Tracker Report, on any progress in this regard;

(b)       that in relation to Recommendation 2, the Portfolio Holder and the Chairman of the Task Group refer this matter to the County Council and the Local Strategic Partnership Transport Theme Group, and that the Portfolio Holder report back to the Scrutiny Steering Board on any progress in this regard;

(c)        that in relation to Recommendation 3, the Portfolio Holder and the Chairman of the Task Group refer this matter to the County Council, the Local Strategic Partnership Transport Theme Group and the Town Centre Steering Group, and that the Portfolio Holder report back to the Scrutiny Steering Board on any progress in this regard;

(d)       that in relation to Recommendation 4, the Portfolio Holder and the Chairman of the Task Group refer this matter to the County Council, with any involvement on the part of this Council in becoming a proactive partner in future bids for rolling stock to be put on hold until such time as the draft Local Transport Bill becomes law, and that the Portfolio Holder report back to the Scrutiny Steering Board on any progress in this regard;

(e)       that in relation to Recommendation 5, this matter be referred to the Local Strategic Transport Theme Group for investigation and that the Group be requested to provide the Cabinet with a report in six months time detailing progress in this regard;

(f)        that in relation to Recommendations 6 and 7, the Portfolio Holder and the Chairman of the Task Group refer these matters to the County Council, and that the Portfolio Holder report back to the Scrutiny Steering Board on any progress in this regard;

(g)       that in relation to Recommendation 8, it being noted that the County Council was considering production of a new strategy on the marketing and delivery of information on passenger transport services in Worcestershire, this Council look at establishing website links to consult with the public further to support the County's new strategy, and that the Portfolio Holder report back to the Scrutiny Steering Board on any progress in this regard;

(h)       that in relation to Recommendation 9, this Council offer itself as a pilot authority to work with the County Council for the introduction of Real Time Passenger Information at major amenities, and that the Portfolio Holder report back to both the Scrutiny Steering Board and the Cabinet on any progress in this regard;

(i)         that in relation to recommendation 10, the Portfolio Holder and the Chairman of the Task Group arrange for the feasibility of producing a London Underground style bus route map to be looked into with the County Council, and that the Portfolio Holder report back to the Scrutiny Steering Board on any progress in this regard;

(j)         that in relation to Recommendation 11, this be referred direct to the County Council for action as these were not matters which fell within the remit of this Council;

(k)        that in relation to Recommendation 12, it be noted that Councillors Mrs Dyer and Mrs Sherrey were members of the group which was looking into the Worcestershire County Council Transport Strategy and that they would continue to have proactive involvement in this;

(l)         that in relation to Recommendation 13:

(i)         it be noted that the issue of establishing a new bus station had already been dealt with under Recommendation 1;

(ii)        it be agreed that the re-location of the existing toilet block as detailed at Recommendation 13 (c) be rejected as this was already being progressed;

(iii)       that the Portfolio Holder discuss with the Executive Director - Projects and Partnerships the possibility of establishing a Shopmobility unit close to the re-located toilet block and that the Portfolio Holder report back to the Cabinet in this regard; and

(iv)       that the Portfolio Holder and the Chairman of the Task Group report back to the Scrutiny Steering Board on progress on the above; and

(m)      that in relation to Recommendation 14, the membership of the Joint County and District Town Centre Steering Group remain as at present but that input be sought from Councillor Lewis, as Chairman of the Task Group, on any transport related issues.