Agenda item

(1)      First Bus – Councillor Charles (attached)

In introducing his motion, Councillor Charles added that the motion was not about drivers or front-line staff at First Bus and whilst recognising there had been extenuating circumstances outside of the company’s control such as changes to home working, residents were faced with serious issues given the unreliability of bus services including lost schooling and deciding not to sell their cars in support of climate change. He explained the reasons behind the motion including a lack of engagement by the directors even when residents are keen to suggest small improvements; apps that don’t work; requests for grant funding although a £500m dividend had been paid to shareholders and a lack of notice to councillors regarding recent cuts to services that were essential to local communities.

Motion: moved by Councillor Charles and seconded by Councillor Holland.

“This Council notes

1. That bus services were directly affected by the pandemic with a huge drop in passenger numbers.

2. That unlike many other industries bus providers received financial support through the crisis

3. The effect of Brexit on the workforce and driver led industries has created a shortfall in the number of bus drivers and that fuel costs have damaged public transport providers profit margins.

4. Despite these adverse circumstances First Group have recorded profits in their most recent financial reports.

5. That the deterioration of public transport has been a continuing issue long before recent events.

Council further notes

1. That even though facing severe financial constraints North Somerset have managed to maintain some services out of its own finances.

2. That despite assurances from First we are seeing an increasing deterioration in services with young people frequently missing school and college and others missing work and medical appointments.

3. Communication has been poor between First and the public with ongoing wider public engagement on difficulties non-existent.

4. Public transport is part of the lifeblood of thriving communities. Poor public transport can lead to increased unemployment, pollution, and social and economic isolation.

5. When rail companies have been proven to be riddled with systematic failure governments have intervened. This has not been the case for bus services.

Council Resolves

1. That it has no confidence in the public transport provision operated by first bus.

2. To mandate to leader of the council to write to the government stating our concerns and urge immediate action to ensure a public transport system that is fit for purpose in North Somerset

3. That the leader of the council in their letter to government urges them to legislate for greater local authority control over public transport provision akin

to powers already provided to combined authorities such as Greater Manchester.

Seven members signalled their support for a debate on the Motion.

In debating the motion, members commented that they recognised the tireless hours that drivers worked, and they were asking for engagement from the company as they wished to support a local business.  Members expressed a desire to see a universal service obligation on public transport companies and a system change as they believed the market as it was currently set up was failing.  Members commented that they felt the company was not doing enough to attract additional drivers and that smaller vehicles could be used that did not require a PSV licence. 

However, some members had concerns that the wording of the motion would have unintended consequences in transferring the financial risks of bus services to the council as greater control over services would require greater funding.  Members voiced the view that an enhanced partnership with a mutually binding set of commitments would be a better approach than the motion as currently set out.

Resolved: that the motion was not approved