Issue - meetings

[To approve that the Council commits to the proposed Enhanced Bus Partnership for the West Midlands Combined Authority]

1.     That the development of an Enhanced Bus Partnership for bus services in the West Midlands in conjunction with Transport for West Midlands, other local authorities and local bus operators be approved.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment, in consultation with the Director for City Environment, to “make” the Enhanced Partnership Plan, subject to complying with the statutory preparation, notice and consultation on the Enhanced Partnership.

3.     That authority be delegated to Cabinet Member for City Environment in consultation with the Director for City Environment to approve the details of any contracts or agreements necessary for implementation of an Enhanced Bus Partnership.

4.     That it be noted that participation in the development of the Enhanced Partnership and making of the Enhanced Partnership Plan cannot commit the Council to future Enhanced Partnership Schemes without their agreement. 

Councillor Steve Evans presented the report seeking approval for the Council to participate in the development of an Enhanced Bus Partnership in the West Midlands and to the making of an Enhanced Partnership (EP) Plan. 

An EP was a formal agreement between a local transport authority, local highway authorities and local bus operators to work together to improve local bus services. It included the aim to ensure the entire bus fleet in the West Midlands metropolitan area achieved at least Euro VI emissions standards by April 2021, cutting harmful pollution from buses by up to 95%. The West Midlands Combined Authority Board had given its approval for Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) to proceed with the development of an EP and using an EP for the delivery of Sprint routes in readiness for the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

Resolved:

1.    That the development of an Enhanced Bus Partnership for bus services in the West Midlands in conjunction with Transport for West Midlands, other local authorities and local bus operators be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Environment, in consultation with the Director for City Environment, to “make” the Enhanced Partnership Plan, subject to complying with the statutory preparation, notice and consultation on the Enhanced Partnership.

3.    That authority be delegated to Cabinet Member for City Environment in consultation with the Director for City Environment to approve the details of any contracts or agreements necessary for implementation of an Enhanced Bus Partnership.

4.    That it be noted that participation in the development of the Enhanced Partnership and making of the Enhanced Partnership Plan cannot commit the Council to future Enhanced Partnership Schemes without their agreement.