Issue - meetings

That Council approves the addition to the Capital Programme of £13.864million to be funded from the confirmed Department for Transport (DfT) grant funding, Stagecoach Midlands and Section 106 developer contributions in respect of the Warwickshire Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA)2 Scheme.

Councillor Richard Baxter Payne moved the recommendation as set out in the report.  Councillor Yousef Dahmash seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

Debate

During the course of the debate, members welcomed the report which would see improved air quality and passenger experience.  Members were also pleased to see that there had been a rise in bus usage and were keen to see more promotion of local bus services to drive this further.  Members complimented the hard work of officers in delivering this scheme.  Other Members questioned the exclusion of Stratford-upon-Avon from the scheme, noted the less frequent bus service in Warwick post-Pandemic and noted that in view of government intentions regarding devolution, the Council may have a more involved role in the provision of bus services in future.  Councillor Chilvers asked whether the charging infrastructure would be available for other companies to utilise if it was exclusive to Stagecoach.

Councillor Baxter-Payne explained that Stratford-on-Avon District Council had not been in a position to engage with this scheme.

Vote

A vote was held. The motion was carried unanimously.

Resolved

That Council approves the addition to the Capital Programme of £13.864million to be funded from the confirmed Department for Transport (DfT) grant funding, Stagecoach Midlands and Section 106 developer contributions in respect of the Warwickshire Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA)2 Scheme.

Prior to presentation at Council, this report seeks endorsement for approval to add the Warwickshire Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA)2 Scheme into the Capital Programme.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Councillor Jan Matecki

Councillor Jan Matecki (Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning) explained that following a successful bid to support provision of 27 electric buses on routes operated by Stagecoach Midlands and the provision of depot charging infrastructure, it was recommended that Council make an addition to the Capital Programme of £13.864m to be funded from Department for Transport (DfT) grant funding (£4.577m), Stagecoach Midlands and Section106 developer contributions in respect of the Warwickshire Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA)2 Scheme.  The Warwickshire ZEBRA2 Scheme was being funded entirely by external partners.  The new fleet would support Carbon net-zero targets and have environmental benefits in terms of improving air quality.

Councillor Sarah Boad, a member of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) Working Group, welcomed this positive news.  She noted that Stagecoach had attended a recent meeting of the Working Group and had advised that there had been increased bus usage, rising to levels above those seen pre-Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillor Tim Sinclair echoed these comments, and further commented on the need to encourage more older people to make use of bus services. He noted the diligence of the Council’s Bus Team.  Whilst welcoming the scheme, he was disappointed that Statford-upon-Avon’s Park and Ride Scheme had not been included which may have attracted more usage to this service.

Councillor Sarah Feeney endorsed the comments made and thanked Councillor Sinclair for the role he had played on the Marketing Strategy Group.  She commended the work of officers.

Councillor Martin Watson welcomed the initiative and requested that consideration be given to bus provision in North Warwickshire as the scheme was rolled out further.

Councillor Heather Timms welcomed this step forward to Carbon Net-Zero, commending the role of Stagecoach.

Councillor Jan Matecki thanked Officers, Stagecoach Midlands and Warwick District Council for their contribution.  Regarding Stratford-upon-Avon Park and Ride he noted that there were issues with the depot at Stratford-upon-Avon for Stagecoach and, although the District Council had requested electrification, when asked for a contribution a response had not been forthcoming.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.     Recommends to Council the addition to the Capital Programme of £13.864million to be funded from the confirmed Department for Transport (DfT) grant funding, Stagecoach Midlands and Section106 developer contributions in respect of the Warwickshire Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA)2 Scheme; and

2.     Authorises the Executive Director for Communities, subject to Council’s approval of the addition to the Capital Programme, to conclude all agreements that he considers necessary to implement the scheme on terms and conditions acceptable to the Executive Director for Resources.