Contacts: Kevin Ings, ext 6986 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the Community Transport Vehicles programme, as set out below, at an estimated sum of £300,000, be approved from the 2006/07 Local Transport Plan funding programme, to assist the purchase of four community transport vehicles which will be deployed across the county as follows:

Eastleigh Voluntary Transport Scheme 1 vehicle

Hart Voluntary Action (including YelaBus) 2 vehicles

Havant Council of Community Service 1 vehicle

(ii) That the monies also be used to pump-prime the introduction of replacement services proposed through the passenger transport area reviews and used to assist the implementation of community transport initiatives in Basingstoke, Fareham and Gosport.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aims 1 and 5 (Maximising Life Opportunities and Improving Services) of the Corporate Strategy by maintaining and developing services provided by community transport schemes in Hampshire.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not supporting schemes with the result that the services which they provide would eventually be reduced.

3.2 There are no feasible alternative arrangements. Without investment from the statutory agencies in Hampshire, community transport schemes will in time be unable to maintain their current levels of activities at an affordable price and this will have a detrimental effect on the overall transport network in Hampshire. Central purchasing of these vehicles has been adopted in the past. However, consultation with community transport groups has indicated a preference for purchasing vehicles with the aid of grants so that vehicles can be tailored to the specific needs of their scheme. There is also evidence of voluntary groups being able to secure better value for money arrangements because of their status.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

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 M J Kendal

1021Decn/KI