Meeting documents

To receive any relevant questions or statements submitted by the public.  These must be received by 5:00 pm three clear working days before the meeting.

There were no public questions or statements received; however, given that Board member David Redgewell was unable to join the meeting via the Teams meeting link and could only listen by telephone, several of the issues he wished to raise were read by the clerk of the committee and responded to by John Perrett, as follows:

Question 1: 

What is the long-term future of the Service 126 from Wells bus and coach station to Weston bus and coach station via Westbury, Draycott, Cheddar, Axbridge, Winscombe, Banwell, Locking? Are there discussions between North Somerset and Somerset County Councils?

Response:  

John Perrett stated that this service is being funded by SCC using BRG funding until the end of March; its long-term viability depends on the patronage and on funding.  There is currently no funding from North Somerset, although discussions are ongoing; there may be a possibility of amending the route. 

Question 2: 

What is the status of the bus services into Dorset and in Yeovil, i.e., the #11 to Sherborne and Dorchester (South West Coaches), the #10 to Sherborne and Blandford (First Group), and the Y6/Y6a to Crewkerne, Beaminster and Bridport station and hospital (First Group).

 Response: 

John Perrett stated that all three of these services are Dorset County Council contracts; he has not been able to contact them recently, but the last time he spoke to them, they said that they would re-tender.  Anthony Reese commented that these cross-border services are essential and both Councils need to discuss them urgently, as the contracts expire at the end of December.  The service is not supporting the people of Somerset, and he is disappointed that Mr Perrett has not been able to speak to Dorset representatives.  Bus users need to know what is in the tenders in order to plan ahead; there is no communication.  It is necessary to try harder to resume discussions.  John Perrett said that he would keep trying; he did know that all three routes are being re-tendered, with the #6 being the first.  He will get information out to the Board about what is happening.  Marc Morganhuws noted that the #10 and #58 are Somerset commercial routes, and Dorset says that their end will be complete by the end of the year.  Tenders for the #6 have gone out, but there is now a new version of the tender.  It is very difficult to predict what the funding will be, including the BRG, which is being discussed with the DfT and needs to be discussed with Dorset as well.  There is no certainty regarding the future; the #10 and #58 are relatively stable through the end of March, and there is a possibility there will be more money in the pot in the future. 

Question 3: 

What is the status of the planned countywide bus timetable?

Response: 

John Perrett stated that there has been an offer to compile this, but as they are still working through some issues with Buses of Somerset, they are waiting to publish it.  Marc Morganhuws said they are still very committed to publishing it.