Issue - meetings

To consider report of the Corporate Director Regeneration & Community Services.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director

Regeneration & Community Services.

The Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services spoke to the report which provided an overview on progress of the Bus Emergency Scheme (BES) Phase 2. The response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the longer term arrangements to be entered into which would make the bus services more sustainable across Wales. The Corporate Director noted the journey undertaken to date and plans for BES2. The BES2 agreement formalised Welsh Government’s commitment to supporting recovery of bus services following the impact of COVID-19. The Corporate Director advised that under the terms of the BES2 agreement operators would be required to provide bus services that met the local needs which would be obtained from the Lead Authority for region. This work would be undertaken on behalf of the communities of respective local authorities. The end date for the BES2 contract was 31^st July 2022 which should allow enough time for revenues to recover following the pandemic.

The Corporate Director also outlined the funding responsibilities, directing the provision of services and the regional work being taken forward. He also outlined the results which was hoped to be achieved with BES2 and what it meant for bus operators which included a mechanism for managing the recovery and reshaping of bus services to respond to the impact of the pandemic.

The Corporate Director further referred to the options for consideration and noted the preferred option as detailed in the report.

In response to a question raised in relation to discussions undertaken at Scrutiny Committee, it was confirmed that Scrutiny Members supported the approach and long term benefits.

The Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development welcomed the report and progress being made through Transport for Wales which supported to the IRT. The project presented an opportunity to grow the services already in place to improve services across the region. It was hoped that it would also encourage people to use public transport.

The Executive Member for Social Services also welcomed the report and felt that the improved services would be beneficial for our communities. The Executive Member felt that from the Social Services perspective it would help people maximise their independence and develop mental health and wellbeing.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Option 1; namely Blaenau Gwent endorsed the contents of the report and supported the BES2 arrangements as part of a regional and Wales approach.