Issue details

Purpose of Significant Decision

- To set out the reasons for the proposed withdrawal of revenue funding from supported bus
services from 1st April 2023.

- To set out the intention to inform the relevant bus operators, within the necessary timescales,
of this decision and the reasons for it.

- To set out the intention to explore potential alternative sources of funding for the same
supported services.

Background

Overview

The Transport service currently contracts with bus operators to provide a small number of bus services which would not otherwise be provided. SBC provides financial support to enable certain journeys on services 4 and 6 to be provided (First Bus) and on service 5 (Thames Valley Buses). It also funds a minor diversion of services 63 and 68 contracted by Buckinghamshire Council and operated by Red Eagle. Supported journeys on service 12 are provided by Thames Valley Buses (grant-funded for 3 years from March 2021).

Supported bus services are currently funded through the Council’s revenue fund and supplemented by some grant funding where appropriate and available. The proposed decision is to give notice on the various contracts for the 4, 5, 6, 63 and 68 services in order to deliver a saving of approximately £160k. Funding will continue for the 12 service via the existing grant. This decision is therefore made on financial grounds, due to the difficult financial circumstances currently faced by the Council. The decision also makes reference to possible alternative sources of funding which may enable the operators to maintain the relevant services and sets out all the related tasks and requirements relating to the cessation of revenue funding. These include notification to the operators, ongoing communications, continual network review and revision of the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

A business case has been prepared by the Place Directorate entitled Slough Borough Council – Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023/24 to 2025/26

Business Case for Change

The main purpose of the business case is to propose the financial saving that will be achieved through the withdrawal of revenue funding for supported services.

Nb: the business case includes reference to services 4, 5, and 6 only. For thoroughness, and consistent with the overall decision, revenue funding for all supported services will cease from April 2023.