1.         That Cabinet include in their final budget proposals to Council an increase in the budget available by £70,000 per annum;

2.         On that basis that (1) above is approved by Full Council, that the preferred supplier for each lot (1 to 9) be awarded a contract for the provision of bus services covered by those lots for a fixed term of 8 years beginning April 2024 (as set out at exempt appendix); and

3.         That the grant funding awarded to the Council for the Bus Service Improvement Plan is allocated to these contracts.

Running a procurement process for the continued financial support of the bus services allows those in the community who are reliant upon them to avoid becoming isolated, but a competitive procurement exercise with a longer-term contract commitment also supports the opportunity for investment in those services with longer operating times, better vehicles, and addressing other priorities.

There was a choice whether to support none, some, or all the existing supported services, and whether to seek to include a replacement to any lost service provision either with a like for like or new, alternative services.

However, the need had been highlighted for all the existing supported services and where parts of a route were altered or the frequency of the service was reduced, would also need further review.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 26 February 2024 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

The current, temporary, contract for subsidised bus services across Torbay expires on 31^st March 2024.  A procurement exercise had been undertaken for each of the currently supported bus services.

The outcome will be to provide a secure and stable bus network for residents and businesses of Torbay, as well as visitors to the area, that is accessible to all and increases the opportunities to travel, and choice of mode for how to travel.

At the meeting Councillor Billings proposed and Councillor Jackie Thomas seconded a motion that was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet, as set out above.

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