Contact: Martin Robertson, ext 6997

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the proposed changes to local bus services be approved as part of the ongoing programme of housekeeping measures.

2. Reason

2.1 The local bus service support budget is over-committed.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 To make no reductions in bus services. This has been rejected because the reductions now proposed form part of an on-going programme of good housekeeping which identifies services which have very low usage and represent poor value for money to the County Council.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - Not applicable.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Background

7.1 The past 12 months have seen increased pressure on the local bus service budget from a number of sources, including the demise of the Tillingbourne Bus Company, a significant number of commercial service withdrawals across Hampshire and increased costs when contracts are retendered.

7.2. It is against this background that, as part of the normal activity in managing the local bus service contracts, the usage and value for money of subsidised services are regularly reviewed.

8. Proposed Action

8.1 All of the services currently subsidised by the County Council have been reviewed and it has been possible to identify some housekeeping service reductions where services are regularly carrying very small number of passengers, or offer very poor value for money. These services represent particularly poor value for money and could be withdrawn without great hardship to the vast majority of users. These reductions would take place from 25 May 2002, with the exception of those in the Alton and Havant areas which would come into effect from 2 June 2002, tying in with the retendering arrangements. The effect of these reductions in 2002/03 would be a saving of £138,000.

8.2 Details of the services affected by the housekeeping reductions are shown in the attached appendix.

7096/MR/DETt