Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director of Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth which advised of the role the County Council is playing in responding to the Government’s National Bus Strategy and associated activity for the process of implementing an Enhanced Partnership and Bus Service Improvement Plan for the region.  The report set out the potential impact this may have in the County and update Cabinet of progress to date, the commitment to ensure the best possible outcome for the County advised on the timescale for the implementation of the Enhanced Partnership (for copy of report see file of minutes).

In response to a question asked by Cllr S Deinali on behalf of Cllr C Marshall, Councillor E Scott informed the Cabinet that both members and officers had been working as part of the North East Joint Transport Committee in developing a Bus Service Improvement Plan to help deliver a positive outcome for the region.

Whilst the Cabinet shared the wider ambitions of the Joint Transport Committee, there were some essential components of the public transport network which were important to residents. Four important areas had already been identified in protecting the current bus service network, improving fares for young people, an adult fares cap and an enhanced public transport network.

Councillor E Scott and officers had been working with the region to help put together an ambitious bid for the north east. If the bid attracted government funding it would, in her opinion, help transform public transport in the coming years and help address some of the many longstanding inequalities faced by County Durham residents.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.