Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Executive Decision Record

1. The following decision was made:

That an 18 months' contract be awarded to Black Velvet Travel for bus service C1/C2 operating between Eastleigh and Thornden School.

2. Reasons for the decision:

2.1. To maintain bus services for local residents. The services operate between Eastleigh, Velmore, Fryern Hill, Hiltingbury, Chandler's Ford, Valley Park, Asda, Barton Peveril College and Thornden School.

2.2. The current temporary contract for C1/C2 bus service expires at the end of October 2009.

2.3. Consultation with local residents has been carried out following the considerable change to bus routes on this corridor over recent years. The bus operator tender proposal reflects the issues highlighted in the results of the consultation. The changes include the development of the existing bus routes and the introduction of a further route without additional cost to the Council. The key improvements include an increased frequency, faster journey times, a direct link to Asda from the Velmore Estate and additional journeys to South Miller's Dale.

2.4. If agreed, the service would be a Hampshire County Council and Eastleigh Borough Council contract costing £224,000 per annum. Eastleigh Borough Council has agreed to make a financial contribution of £96,000 per annum towards the services. The County Council presently contributes £128,000 to the cost of the service and therefore there are no additional financial implications for the County Council in the award of this contract.

2.5. It is proposed to award the contract to Black Velvet Travel for a period which aligns with the renewal of the other Eastleigh local area bus contracts in May 2011.

3. Other options considered and rejected:

3.1. Award a contract for the existing timetable option. All of the tender prices received for the current timetable operation would provide a less frequent service and therefore provide fewer journey opportunities. In addition to this they are more expensive than the tender price submitted by Black Velvet Travel which was the lowest tender price received.

3.2. The volume of passengers recorded on the current service would exceed the capacity of a Community Transport solution.

3.3. Withdraw support for the service. This was rejected because the C1/C2 service is the only bus service for many local residents, serves the full range of journey purposes and meets value for money criteria. The proposed timetable reflects local resident consultation and has been produced in consultation with Eastleigh Borough Council which is jointly funding the service.

4. Conflicts of interest:

4.1. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker: none.

4.2. Conflicts of interest declared by other Executive Members consulted: none.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee: none.

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent: not applicable.

7. Statement from the Decision Maker:

2145Decn/976/SW