Decision details

Next Stages Towards Bus reform in the Liverpool City Region

Decision Maker: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

The Bus Services Act 2017 supports the bus related elements of the Liverpool City Region Devolution Agreement and sets out new options for local transport authorities in respect of bus services. New options include, to strengthen partnerships, introduce advanced ticketing schemes, enable sharing of prescribed information about bus services and, in the case of Mayoral Combined Authorities, such as Liverpool City Region – to franchise buses.

Where an authority is considering making a franchising scheme, it is required to prepare an assessment of the proposed scheme. The Combined Authority commenced an assessment in September 2018 (The Assessment).

A decision is required to further progress the Assessment and to progress the development of either:

(i) a franchising scheme, along with an independent audit of the franchising assessment, undertake a statutory consultation exercise and any other requirements (combined with the previous development of the Assessment), or

(ii) an Enhanced Partnership Scheme and associated Plans.

This decision meets the criteria for the issue of a Key Decision Notice because it would (i) result in the Combined Authority or the Mayor incurring significant expenditure and (ii) be significant in terms of its effects on persons living or working in an area comprising two or more wards or electoral divisions in the area of the Combined Authority.

Decision:

RESOLVED – That in relation to the next stages of bus reform within the Liverpool City Region:

 

(a)       the Assessment presented in the exempt Appendix 1 be received and noted;

(b)       the contents of the Independent Audit, that was prepared in accordance with section 123D of the Act as described in paragraph 3.5 and presented in the exempt Appendix 2 to this report be noted;

(c)        the publication of the Assessment, the Independent Audit and all other documentation relevant to the process be approved;

(d)       the Proposed Franchising Scheme as described in paragraph 3.4 and set out in the exempt Appendix 3 be approved;

(e)       it be agreed to proceed with the Proposed Franchising Scheme by undertaking a consultation on the Proposed Franchising Scheme in accordance with sections 123E to 123G of the Act, as described in paragraph 3.6;

(f)         the publication of a notice of the Proposed Franchising Scheme in accordance with sections 123E(2)(d) and 123E(3) of the Act be approved; and

(g)       the tasks necessary to conduct the consultation be delegated to the Executive Director for Place in conjunction with the Deputy Portfolio Holder for Transport and the Metro Mayor.

Report author: Matt Goggins

Publication date: 05/03/2023

Date of decision: 03/03/2023

Decided at meeting: 03/03/2023 - Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Effective from: 11/03/2023

Accompanying Documents: