Meeting documents

(a)          Public Speaking

(b)          Petitions

To consider a petition report in relation to ‘Maintain the Saturday bus service from Yeovil to Bridport’.

Public Speaking

There were no public questions received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(1).

There were no public statements received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(2).

Petitions

The Council considered a report by the Dorset Travel Service Manager on a petition to ‘Maintain the Saturday bus service from Yeovil to Bridport’ in accordance with the County Council’s Petitions Scheme. The report explained what the petition was asking for, why it was considered necessary to maintain the service and what options there were for dealing with the petition.

Ms Emmett, as the lead petitioner, addressed the meeting to explain that in her view the decision made to change the no.40 service, including the removal of the Saturday service, did not include adequate consultation with users. Although efforts were being looked at by the Council and Beaminster Town Council to try to solve this issue no solution had been found. She felt that the whole situation had been mismanaged, had a detrimental effect on people’s lives, a negative impact on the economy through trading, removed the ability to attend doctor and hospital appointments, and increased rural isolation for the elderly and vulnerable. Despite the media portraying messages from officers which identified the route as a part of the strategically important part of the inter-urban network there was still no replacement for the service.

Support was expressed regarding the use of the Saturday No.40 service as this could be used as a pilot community transport scheme with support from the Council, in partnership with the Beaminster and Bridport Town Councils.  Cllr Kayes, as the local member for Bridport, proposed that the Council consider, with Beaminster and Bridport Town Councils, to include the route in a self-financing community transport scheme with initial funding which would be reimbursed to the Council when the service was running.  The proposal was seconded by Cllr Keith Day.

An alternative proposal was suggested by Cllr Turner as the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment which would see the issue included in a planned Integrated Transport Scrutiny Inquiry Day on 26 February 2018, and to discuss the options raised regarding funding, licencing and vehicle availability, in addition to working closely with groups to develop a community offering. Cllr Kayes expressed concern regarding the urgency to address this issue as soon as possible. On being assured that efforts would be taken to find a solution as a priority, Cllr Kayes withdrew her proposal and seconded Cllr Turners alternative proposal.

As the local member, Cllr Knox acknowledged the situation and called for all parties to get together to address the issues raised to find a solution, and was also concerned about the weekday service.  She explained that there was only one subsidised Saturday service remaining in Dorset which would be coming to an end shortly.  96% of routes were now provided through community schemes with an overall aim to reach 100%. Further work was also taking place locally with the Clinical Commissioning Group regarding access to health services, and a closer relationship was needed between Bridport Town Council and the GP practices.  Cllr Knox welcomed being part of the discussions as soon as possible to reach a solution.

In addition to the No.40 service, other members expressed the need for the Integrated Transport Inquiry Day to address public transport concerns with other local services and rural isolation.  There was a need to publicise the Inquiry Day widely with members to ensure full participation.

Resolved

1. That the issue of Bus subsidies on Saturday Services will be included in the discussions at the Transport Inquiry day on 26 February 2018.

2. That the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment, together with the local members for Bridport and Beaminster area meet with the Service Director – Economy, responsible for Transport, to discuss the proposals put forward by Councillor Kayes and potential collaboration with Bridport Town Council for a Saturday Service. Meeting to consider funding, licensing and vehicle availability and assess whether the proposal is a viable financial and sustainable option. To be arranged as soon as practicable.  

Reason for Decision

In order to comply with the County Council’s published scheme for responding to petitions and so as to enable local people to connect with local elected decision makers.