Decision details

To Approve changes to the transport levy to enable the combined authority to protect key services following the withdrawal of government funding.

The Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

1.     That the Transport Levy is increased by up to 10% from the 2023/24 financial year to cover additional contract costs for supported bus services,

2.     That delegated authority is given to the CEOs to agree the final increase by the end of April 2022 for bus service contracts to be awarded, for subsequent confirmation during the budget making process for 2023/24.That the principle be agreed that any growth in transport levy for 2023/24 arising from this decision be met with a contribution from WECA and offset through efficiencies driven by the pooling of contractual management and operation.  That evidence of WECA efficiencies and contribution will be presented as part of the final levy being set in January 2023 and consulted upon with s151 officers.

As a Local Transport Authority, the Combined Authority provides financial support to non-commercial bus services that it considers to be socially necessary (around 10%). These services are generally orbital/rural in nature or provide links between communities that are not connected by arterial routes.

N/A.