Buses in Woodley and Earley
This Council
notes:
(1) The Local Transport Plan
3, 2011 to 2026, (LTP);
(2) The public consultation for the LTP (p33) identified "ensuring that public transport is affordable and accessible" as the most popular response from the public;
(3) One of the goals of the LTP is: "to promote an integrated and inclusive public transport network that provides a convenient, acceptable, reliable and affordable alternative to car travel";
(4) The LTP states (p75): "Bus services are a vital means of transport for vulnerable and economically challenged people as they provide access to key facilities such as employment locations and health care. Better services will improve accessibility for everyone;
(5) Policy PT2 (of the LTP): Increasing our residents use of bus services. We will work with bus operators to enhance the quality, viability and attractiveness of bus services across the Borough so that the need to provide subsidies is minimised;
(6) Policy PT6 (of the LTP): Availability of Services. We will work in partnership with key organisations to enhance bus service provision to health, education, leisure, retail and employment opportunities;
(7) The report to the Executive on 29 June which stated:
"The 19a/c bus services provided the following social benefits:
(8) The 19a/c served some the most deprived areas of the Borough;
(9) The 19a/c had a high proportion of concessionary bus users. This demonstrates the social need being met by the services;
(10) The 19a/c provided quick and affordable access to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, a service that was especially valuable for older residents;
(11) The 19a/c service was essential for residents to access work, healthcare and retail facilities; its 'village on wheels' community spirit helped to reduce social isolation and increased the well-being of its users;
(12) A meaningful consultation on the future of the 19a/c service was not carried out before the service was stopped;
(13) A cap was imposed on the funds available to renew the 19a/c service;
(14) A tender process for replacement services is underway will not be complete until late 2018.
This Council:
(1) Regrets we have to date been unable to find adequate funding to extend the 19a/c service beyond September 2017;
(2) Acknowledges the replacement services are not fit for purpose;
(3) Apologises to residents for the distress, upset and inconvenience caused by the ending the 19a/c service;
(4) Instructs the Lead Member for Highways and Transport to discuss with Reading Buses any opportunity to re-extend the 19a/c service until the tender process is completed and an acceptable new service is in place;
(5) Instructs the Lead Member for Finance to agree with the Lead Member for Highways, adequate additional funding until the tender process is completed and an acceptable new service is in place.
Minutes:
The Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Andy Croy and seconded by Beth Rowland.
“Buses in Woodley and Earley
This Council notes:
(1) The Local Transport Plan 3, 2011 to 2026, (LTP);
(2) The public consultation for the LTP (p33) identified "ensuring that public transport is affordable and accessible" as the most popular response from the public;
(3) One of the goals of the LTP is: "to promote an integrated and inclusive public transport network that provides a convenient, acceptable, reliable and affordable alternative to car travel";
(4) The LTP states (p75): "Bus services are a vital means of transport for vulnerable and economically challenged people as they provide access to key facilities such as employment locations and health care. Better services will improve accessibility for everyone;
(5) Policy PT2 (of the LTP): Increasing our residents use of bus services. We will work with bus operators to enhance the quality, viability and attractiveness of bus services across the Borough so that the need to provide subsidies is minimised;
(6) Policy PT6 (of the LTP): Availability of Services. We will work in partnership with key organisations to enhance bus service provision to health, education, leisure, retail and employment opportunities;
(7) The report to the Executive on 29th June which stated:
The 19a/c bus services provided the following social benefits:
· The only bus service along Drovers Way & Coppice Road,
· The only bus service along Miles Way & Comet Way,
· The only bus service along Culver Lane, Woodley,
· The only bus service along Vauxhall Drive, Woodley,
· The only bus service along Silverdale Road, Maiden Erlegh,
· The only bus service along Church Road, Earley,
· Access between Woodley and Maiden Erlegh,
· Access to Hurricane Way GP’s Surgery,
· Access to the Royal Berkshire Hospital";
·
(8) The 19a/c served some the most deprived areas of the Borough;
(9) The 19a/c had a high proportion of concessionary bus users. This demonstrates the social need being met by the services;
(10) The 19a/c provided quick and affordable access to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, a service that was especially valuable for older residents;
(11) The 19a/c service was essential for residents to access work, healthcare and retail facilities; its 'village on wheels' community spirit helped to reduce social isolation and increased the well-being of its users;
(12) A meaningful consultation on the future of the 19a/c service was not carried out before the service was stopped;
(13) A cap was imposed on the funds available to renew the 19a/c service;
(14) A tender process for replacement services is underway will not be complete until late 2018.
This Council:
(1) Regrets we have to date been unable to find adequate funding to extend the 19a/c service beyond September 2017;
(2) Acknowledges the replacement services are not fit for purpose;
(3) Apologises to residents for the distress, upset and inconvenience caused by the ending the 19a/c service;
(4) Instructs the Lead Member for Highways and Transport to discuss with Reading Buses any opportunity to re-extend the 19a/c service until the tender process is completed and an acceptable new service is in place;
(5) Instructs the Lead Member for Finance to agree with the Lead Member for Highways, adequate additional funding until the tender process is completed and an acceptable new service is in place.
It was moved by Keith Baker and seconded by David Chopping that the Motion be amended by inserting/adding the words in bold set out below:
This Council notes:
(1) The Local Transport Plan 3, 2011 to 2026, (LTP);
(2) The public consultation for the LTP (p33) identified "ensuring that public transport is affordable and accessible" as the most popular response from the public;
(3) One of the goals of the LTP is: "to promote an integrated and inclusive public transport network that provides a convenient, acceptable, reliable and affordable alternative to car travel";
(4) The LTP states (p75): "Bus services are a vital means of transport for vulnerable and economically challenged people as they provide access to key facilities such as employment locations and health care. Better services will improve accessibility for everyone;
(5) Policy PT2 (of the LTP): Increasing our residents use of bus services. We will work with bus operators to enhance the quality, viability and attractiveness of bus services across the Borough so that the need to provide subsidies is minimised;
(6) Policy PT6 (of the LTP): Availability of Services. We will work in partnership with key organisations to enhance bus service provision to health, education, leisure, retail and employment opportunities;
(7) The report to the Executive on 29th June which stated:
The 19a/c bus services provided the following social benefits:
· The only bus service along Drovers Way & Coppice Road,
· The only bus service along Miles Way & Comet Way,
· The only bus service along Culver Lane, Woodley,
· The only bus service along Vauxhall Drive, Woodley,
· The only bus service along Silverdale Road, Maiden Erlegh,
· The only bus service along Church Road, Earley,
· Access between Woodley and Maiden Erlegh,
· Access to Hurricane Way GP’s Surgery,
· Access to the Royal Berkshire Hospital;
(8) The 19a/c served some the most deprived areas of the Borough;
(9) The 19a/c had a high proportion of concessionary bus users. This demonstrates the social need being met by the services;
(10) The 19a/c provided quick and affordable access to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, a service that was especially valuable for older residents;
(11) The 19a/c service was essential for residents to access work, healthcare and retail facilities; its 'village on wheels' community spirit helped to reduce social isolation and increased the well-being of its users;
(12) A meaningful consultation on the future of the 19a/c service was not carried out by Reading Buses before the service was stopped;
(13) A cap was imposed on the funds available to renew the 19a/c service;
(14) A tender process for replacement services is underway will not be complete until late 2018.
This Council:
(1) Regrets that, despite Wokingham Borough Council increasing its funding, we have to date been unable to encourage Reading Buses to find adequate funding to extend the 19a/c service beyond September 2017;
(2) Acknowledges the replacement services are not fit for purpose;
(3) Feels that Reading Buses should apologise to residents for the distress, upset and inconvenience caused by the ending the 19a/c service;
(4) Instructs the Lead Member for Highways and Transport to discuss with Reading Buses any opportunity to re-extend the 19a/c service until the tender process is completed and an acceptable new service is in place;
(5) Instructs the Lead Member for Finance to agree with the Lead Member for Highways, adequate additional funding be sought from Reading Buses until the tender process is completed and an acceptable new service is in place;
(6) Supports the cross-party approach suggested by Councillors, endorsed by Reading East’s Member of Parliament, to work together to encourage Reading Buses to provide a service which is fit for purpose.
Following debate, upon being put to the vote, the Mayor declared that the amendment was carried.
Prior to the vote being held, six Members, in accordance with Rule of Procedure 4.2.15.15, requested that a recorded vote be taken on the proposed decision. The voting was as follows:
|
For |
Against |
Abstained |
|
Mark Ashwell |
Prue Bray |
John Kaiser |
|
Keith Baker |
Andy Croy |
Rob Stanton |
|
Parry Batth |
Lindsay Ferris |
|
|
Laura Blumenthal |
Clive Jones |
|
|
Chris Bowring |
Ian Pittock |
|
|
David Chopping |
Beth Rowland |
|
|
Richard Dolinski |
Imogen Shepherd-Dubey |
|
|
Michael Firmager |
Rachelle Shepherd-Dubey |
|
|
Charlotte Haitham Taylor |
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Pauline Helliar-Symons |
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Tim Holton |
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Philip Houldsworth |
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Norman Jorgensen |
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Pauline Jorgensen |
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Dianne King |
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|
Abdul Loyes |
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Julian McGhee-Sumner |
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Philip Mirfin |
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Stuart Munro |
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Malcolm Richards |
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Angus Ross |
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David Sleight |
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Chris Smith |
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Wayne Smith |
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Alison Swaddle |
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Simon Weeks |
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Oliver Whittle |
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Shahid Younis |
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It was moved by Keith Baker and seconded by David Chopping that the amended (substantive) Motion be approved.
Upon being put to the vote, it was declared by the Mayor that the amended (substantive) Motion was carried.
RESOLVED That:
This Council notes:
(1) The Local Transport Plan 3, 2011 to 2026, (LTP);
(2) The public consultation for the LTP (p33) identified "ensuring that public transport is affordable and accessible" as the most popular response from the public;
(3) One of the goals of the LTP is: "to promote an integrated and inclusive public transport network that provides a convenient, acceptable, reliable and affordable alternative to car travel";
(4) The LTP states (p75): "Bus services are a vital means of transport for vulnerable and economically challenged people as they provide access to key facilities such as employment locations and health care. Better services will improve accessibility for everyone;
(5) Policy PT2 (of the LTP): Increasing our resident’s use of bus services. We will work with bus operators to enhance the quality, viability and attractiveness of bus services across the Borough so that the need to provide subsidies is minimised;
(6) Policy PT6 (of the LTP): Availability of Services. We will work in partnership with key organisations to enhance bus service provision to health, education, leisure, retail and employment opportunities;
(7) The report to the Executive on 29th June which stated:
The 19a/c bus services provided the following social benefits:
· The only bus service along Drovers Way & Coppice Road,
· The only bus service along Miles Way & Comet Way,
· The only bus service along Culver Lane, Woodley,
· The only bus service along Vauxhall Drive, Woodley,
· The only bus service along Silverdale Road, Maiden Erlegh,
· The only bus service along Church Road, Earley,
· Access between Woodley and Maiden Erlegh,
· Access to Hurricane Way GP’s Surgery,
· Access to the Royal Berkshire Hospital";
(8) The 19a/c served some the most deprived areas of the Borough;
(9) The 19a/c had a high proportion of concessionary bus users. This demonstrates the social need being met by the services;
(10) The 19a/c provided quick and affordable access to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, a service that was especially valuable for older residents;
(11) The 19a/c service was essential for residents to access work, healthcare and retail facilities; its 'village on wheels' community spirit helped to reduce social isolation and increased the well-being of its users;
(12) A meaningful consultation on the future of the 19a/c service was not carried out by Reading Buses before the service was stopped;
(13) A cap was imposed on the funds available to renew the 19a/c service;
(14) A tender process for replacement services is underway will not be complete until late 2018.
This Council:
(1) Regrets that, despite Wokingham Borough Council increasing its funding, we have to date been unable to encourage Reading Buses to find adequate funding to extend the 19a/c service beyond September 2017;
(2) Acknowledges the replacement services are not fit for purpose;
(3) Feels that Reading Buses should apologise to residents for the distress, upset and inconvenience caused by the ending the 19a/c service;
(4) Instructs the Lead Member for Highways and Transport to discuss with Reading Buses any opportunity to re-extend the 19a/c service until the tender process is completed and an acceptable new service is in place;
(5) Instructs the Lead Member for Finance to agree with the Lead Member for Highways, adequate additional funding be sought from Reading Buses until the tender process is completed and an acceptable new service is in place;
(6) Supports the cross-party approach suggested by Councillors, endorsed by Reading East’s Member of Parliament, to work together to encourage Reading Buses to provide a service which is fit for purpose.