process and had been involved in detail of the consultation process, the analysis of results and would oversee subsequent work around changes to the network. The Policy Team had looked at current provision, anomalies, best practice and criteria. Background information, details of the consultation process and recommendations were set out in the report. Discussion followed during which the key points from members were: The Bus Subsidy Review Members Task and Finish Group had not recommended or been associated with the planned £200,000 reduction in the subsidised bus services budget that had been an officer – recommendation and, although the Group had accepted it would happen, it was not part of their remit to agree it. It was recommended that the Task and Finish Group continue to be involved in the second phase to oversee the review and that the report be extended to include the planned approach to making the required savings while protecting services and promoting bus use. It was stated that Councillor Sambrook had some good ideas of how to link bus routes and promote existing routes. Although transport was no longer under the remit of Community and Local Services, social inclusion was, so the committee should continue to look at that. Social interaction was as important as social inclusion and should be promoted by the Council. The Chair referred to the themed scrutiny review undertaken by Councillor Lang with input from Councillor Sambrook. He said that would be passed on to the Vice Chair of Economic Growth OSC, Councillor Grimshaw who was now also a member of this committee. In response to comments that membership of the Task and Finish Group should continue unchanged, it was stated that the new group would continue with Councillor Grimshaw but membership could be drawn from this committee. It was suggested that social inclusion could be looked at in conjunction with Care and Wellbeing. Concerns of direction could be raised at Group and at Cabinet Chairmen’s Committee on 9 June. It was queried if the remote rural services categorisation would discriminate against communities such as Wooler and Seahouses. In response it was stated that by categorising them as rural it would give them a bigger subsidy per head. RESOLVED That the committee support the recommendations to Cabinet contained in the report and it be recommended that the Bus Subsidy Review Members Task and Finish Group continue to oversee the review. REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION BY SCRUTINY
process and had been involved in detail of the consultation process, the analysis of results and would oversee subsequent work around changes to the network. The Policy Team had looked at current provision, anomalies, best practice and criteria. Background information, details of the consultation process and recommendations were set out in the report. Discussion followed during which the key points from members were: The Bus Subsidy Review Members Task and Finish Group had not recommended or been associated with the planned £200,000 reduction in the subsidised bus services budget – that had been an officer recommendation and, although the Group had accepted it would happen, it was not part of their remit to agree it. It was recommended that the Task and Finish Group continue to be involved in the second phase to oversee the review and that the report be extended to include the planned approach to making the required savings while protecting services and promoting bus use. It was stated that Councillor Sambrook had some good ideas of how to link bus routes and promote existing routes. Although transport was no longer under the remit of Community and Local Services, social inclusion was, so the committee should continue to look at that. Social interaction was as important as social inclusion and should be promoted by the Council. The Chair referred to the themed scrutiny review undertaken by Councillor Lang with input from Councillor Sambrook. He said that would be passed on to the Vice Chair of Economic Growth OSC, Councillor Grimshaw who was now also a member of this committee. In response to comments that membership of the Task and Finish Group should continue unchanged, it was stated that the new group would continue with Councillor Grimshaw but membership could be drawn from this committee. It was suggested that social inclusion could be looked at in conjunction with Care and Wellbeing. Concerns of direction could be raised at Chairmen’s Group and at Cabinet Committee on 9 June. It was queried if the remote rural services categorisation would discriminate against communities such as Wooler and Seahouses. In response it was stated that by categorising them as rural it would give them a bigger subsidy per head. RESOLVED That the committee support the recommendations to Cabinet contained in the report and it be recommended that the Bus Subsidy Review Members Task and Finish Group continue to oversee the review. REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION BY SCRUTINY
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