A report providing the Committee with an update on progress with development of the schemes and initiatives included within the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), following the announcement by the Department for Transport of indicative funding allocations for selected local authorities, including up to £26.3m for Reading for the three year period from 2022/23 to 2024/25.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report that provided the Committee with an update on progress with development of the schemes and initiatives that had been included within the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), following the announcement by the DfT of indicative funding allocations for selected local authorities, that had included up to £26.3m for Reading for the three year period from 2022/23 to 2024/25.  A draft copy of the Enhanced Partnership (EP) Scheme Variation was attached to the report at Appendix A.

The report explained that there were a number of detailed requirements that had been placed on local authorities by the DfT in order for the BSIP funding to be confirmed and the report outlined the requirement for the Council to have made an Enhanced Partnership Scheme Variation and Participation Agreement for the reduced fare initiative which formed part of the overall BSIP programme.  These were requirements for the award of DfT funding and for implementation of the proposal for a multi-operator day ticketing scheme for use on local services within a designated area.  The Participation Agreement outlined the terms and conditions for the compensatory payments to be paid to the bus operators. 

In order to deliver the full BSIP programme a number of procurements would be required to be carried out and initial plans were being progressed to procure support for the design work for the next phase of the South Reading Bus Rapid Transit scheme and the continued provision of Route 9 services in south Reading.  The next steps for delivery of the BSIP programme included ongoing liaison with officials from the DfT in order to achieve the full grant funding award.  In addition, the scheme and initiatives, which formed part of the BSIP programme, would continue to be developed with local operators, including holding a second EP Board meeting to ratify the Enhanced Partnership Scheme Variation and Participation Agreement.

Resolved –

(1)     That the on-going discussions with Government and local bus operators to further develop the BSIP proposals in advance of an announcement on final funding allocations by the Department for Transport be noted;

(2)     That scheme and spend approval be granted for the full BSIP programme, subject to the Department for Transport confirming the final award of grant funding and subject to consultation with the Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, Director of Finance and Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services upon receipt of the grant conditions and acceptance of funding;

(3)     That approval be granted to undertake the necessary procurements to deliver the BSIP programme and the Assistant Director Planning, Transport and Public Protection, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, Assistant Director of Procurement and Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services granted authority to award any such corresponding contracts;

(4)     That the Assistant Director Planning, Transport and Public Protection, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, Director of Finance and Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services be granted authority to enter into and make amendments to the Enhanced Partnership Scheme Variation with local bus operators

(5)     That the Assistant Director Planning, Transport and Public Protection in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, Director of Finance and Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services be granted authority to enter into and make amendments to the multi-operator ticketing scheme ‘Participation Agreement’ with the relevant bus operators through the Enhanced Partnership Scheme arrangements.