Issue - meetings

(Lead Member: Cllr K Groves, Director: Alan Reiss)

Resolved:  That the Combined Authority approves spending of up to £150,000 to provide support to develop the financial, legal and technical options available to reform the provision of bus services in the region.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Director, Policy, Strategy and Communications on future bus options.

The report provided an update on the work to develop a new approach to bus services and the implications that COVID-19 is likely to have on the consideration of future options. 

Members noted the uncertain nature of the current bus funding and agreed the importance of exploring all options to deliver bus services in West Yorkshire. The options available to the Combined Authority were outlined in the submitted report and it was noted that additional funding would be required to access technical expertise where the skills are currently not available in-house.  It was therefore agreed that spending of up to £150,000 be approved to provide the support to understand the issues and develop a preferred way forward.

Alongside the external technical requirements, it is anticipated that the Combined Authority will continue to develop the case for change and understand the organisational response to taking a different role in the delivery of bus services across West Yorkshire. 

Resolved:  That the Combined Authority approves spending of up to £150,000 to provide support to develop the financial, legal and technical options available to reform the provision of bus services in the region.