Archived decisions

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

1. Summary

1.1 Hart Voluntary Action (HVA) receives funding, which is largely provided by Hampshire County Council and Hart District Council, to:

(i) operate a Hart Call and Go service; and

(ii) employ a Transport Organiser.

1.2 Payments for 2007/08 were agreed by the Executive Member for Environment at his decision-making day on 20 March 2007. Subsequent to this, Hart Voluntary Action has confirmed its intention to cease operating these services from 31 June 2007.

1.3 This decision will maintain existing community transport services in Hart which contribute towards maximising well-being.

2. Recommendations

2.1 That a service agreement be awarded to Rushmoor Voluntary Services for the operation of the Hart Call and Go Service for the period 1 August 2007 to 31 March 2008 at an estimated cost of £38,426, with a payment being made towards this of up to £19,213 from Hampshire County Council.

2.2 That a service agreement be awarded to Rushmoor Voluntary Services for the employment of a part-time Transport Organiser for the period 1 August 2007 to 31 March 2008 at an estimated cost of £9,188, with a payment being made towards this of up to £4,594 each from Hampshire County Council and Hart District Council.

2.3 That any deficit which Rushmoor Voluntary Services incurs for operating the Hart minibus group hire scheme for the period up to 31 March 2008 should be underwritten by the County Council.

2.4 That the recall of the vehicle grants from Hart Voluntary Action, previously approved by the Executive Member for Environment, be agreed.

2.5 That the proposed approach for dealing with the remaining assets being held by Hart Voluntary Action be agreed.

3. Replacement Arrangements

3.1 Subject to the Council underwriting some of the risks arising from this situation, Rushmoor Voluntary Services has agreed to take over the operation of the above services for the period from 1 August 2007 to 31 March 2008. The costs are slightly different but broadly in line with the previous award to Hart Voluntary Action. The grant for purchasing two new Call and Go Vehicles will similarly be redirected by providing the two vehicles to Rushmoor Voluntary Services, and the transfer of the remaining assets and surpluses will be sought.

4. Impact Assessments

4.1 The Call and Go service is available to individuals and is particularly targeted at members of the community who are disadvantaged in some way. The vehicles operated by the community transport scheme are available to all bona fide voluntary and community groups in Hart.

5. Conclusion

5.1 This report sets out the arrangements for the operation of community transport services in Hart to be transferred from Hart Voluntary Action to Rushmoor Voluntary Services from 1 August 2007. These arrangements enable the existing services to be maintained and prevent any journey opportunity in Hart from being lost.

1418Rpt/KI