Issue - meetings
Medway Bus Strategy / Enhanced Partnership (EP)
Meeting: 08/02/2022 - Cabinet (Item 11)
11 Medway Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and Enhanced Partnership (EP) 
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Additional documents:
Minutes:
Background:
This report sought Cabinet approval of the publication of the draft Enhanced Partnership (EP) and Plans for buses in Medway by the end of April 2022 and the adoption of the final EP Plan and Scheme(s), following a statutory consultation period in accordance with deadlines to be determined by the Department for Transport.
The report set out that the National Bus Strategy required Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) to publish a Bus Service Improvement Plan, and thereafter set up an Enhanced Partnership (EP) to implement it. The LTA had formal responsibility for making the plan, but at set points in the process it could only proceed with proposals with the support of a defined proportion of local bus operators.
Medway’s Bus Service Improvement Plan had previously been approved by the Cabinet on 29 October 2021.
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Decision number: |
Decision: |
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26/2022 |
The Cabinet supported the creation of an Enhanced Partnership (EP) for Medway in accordance with the National Bus Strategy. |
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27/2022 |
The Cabinet approved the submission of the draft Enhanced Partnership Plans and Schemes, as set out at appendix B to the report, to the Department for Transport by the end of April 2022. |
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28/2022 |
The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services, to negotiate and agree on behalf of the Council any amendments to the draft Enhanced Partnership’s Plan and Scheme(s) arising from the statutory consultation and publish the final EP by the date to be determined by the DfT. |
Reasons:
To ensure that Medway Council demonstrates its commitment to the principles outlined in the National Bus Strategy by implementing an Enhanced Partnership, thereby securing existing funding allocations, and putting the Council in a position where it can bid for future funding to improve public transport in Medway.