Contact: Colin Wright, tel 01962 846923 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

That approval be given to:

(i) award tenders for new four year bus subsidy contracts for the Romsey area at a cost of £338,080 per annum which will result in the current bus network remaining largely unchanged; and

(ii) reduce the frequency of Service 30 between Romsey and Halterworth from six to four journeys a day to achieve an economy of £9,070 per annum to reduce the budgetary pressures arising from the retendering exercise.

2. Reason

2.1 The current Romsey area bus contracts expire on 31 August 2008. This decision will enable the continued provision of public transport services which give access to employment, education, health, retail and leisure facilities for the widest section of the community, whilst containing expenditure within the budget available.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 The area review considered a number of options for delivering local services which consisted of varying mixes of local bus and community transport services. Others were rejected on the grounds of not achieving best value for money nor providing good accessibility.

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

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - None.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor M J Kendal

Executive Member for Environment

1628Decn/CW