To consider the following motions submitted by members in accordance with Standing Order 5:
(1) Bus Services in Warwickshire.
It is noted that the provision of local bus services in the County have suffered during the pandemic with a reduced frequency of the service and a large drop in the number of passengers.
It is also noted that a good and regular service is essential to achieve the modal shift required to reduce the number of car journeys.
This Council resolves to set up a cross party working group to work with officers to draw up a fully costed Bus Service Improvement Plan for approval by Cabinetby the end of October 2021:
The plan should
1. include an aim to deliver a comprehensive service for Warwickshire;
2. encourage greater use of buses;
3. encourage greater uptake and use of bus passes;
4. investigate the use of electric and hydrogen buses
Proposer: Councillor Sarah Boad
Seconder: Councillor Bill Gifford
(2) 20mph Speed Limits
This Council will produce a costed plan for Cabinet consideration to introduce 20mph speed limits in all residential areas across Warwickshire as part of the Speed Management Strategy refresh.
Proposer: Councillor Jonathan Chilvers
Seconder: Councillor Will Roberts
Minutes:
The meeting reconvened at 13.15
Motion 1 Bus Service in Warwickshire
Councillor Sarah Boad tabled the following motion.
“It is noted that the provision of local bus services in the County have suffered during the pandemic with a reduced frequency of the service and a large drop in the number of passengers.
It is also noted that a good and regular service is essential to achieve the modal shift required to reduce the number of car journeys.
This Council resolves to set up a cross party task and finish group to work with officers to draw up a fully costed Bus Service Improvement Plan for approval by Cabinet by the end of October 2021:
The plan should:
1. include an aim to deliver a comprehensive service for Warwickshire;
2. encourage greater use of buses;
3. encourage greater uptake and use of bus passes;
4. investigate the use of electric and hydrogen buses”
In presenting the motion Councillor Sarah Boad explained that bus services in Warwickshire have been badly affected by the Covid Pandemic with the number of customers and services falling significantly. People struggle to move around finding difficulty in accessing hospitals of appointments for example. Bus services should be reliable, comprehensive and reasonably priced. Bus use, she stated, is more environmentally friendly than travel by car. Council was asked to agree to the establishment of a cross-party working group to assist in the development of the BSIP.
Councillor Bill Gifford seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.
Amendment 1
Councillor Jonathan Chilvers proposed a friendly amendment. This was to add a further point to the plan stating,
“incorporate the 'Bus Services Motion Enhancement Schedule' as approved by Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee in September 2020”.
This amendment was accepted by Councillor Sarah Boad.
In presenting the amendment Councillor Jonathan Chilvers explained that whilst the council has no direct control over bus providers it does have levers to be used to influence their decisions. The need to work closely with the operators is very important.
Councillor Will Roberts seconded the amendment and reserved the right to speak.
Amendment 2
Councillor Wallace Redford proposed a friendly amendment. This was to remove the end of October 2021 deadline and add a sixth point stating,
“Consider the impact of new working patterns such as home working on demand for services”.
In presenting his amendment Councillor Redford recognised the need to encourage bus patronage adding that post-Pandemic there will be new working patterns to accommodate. He welcomed the establishment of a working group.
The amendment was seconded by Councillor Martin Watson who reserved his right to speak.
Councillor Sarah Boad accepted the amendment as friendly.
Debate
Councillor Sarah Feeney suggested that it will be important to review how children access school by bus. Air quality needs to be improved as does access to services by older people living in rural areas.
Councillor John Holland stated that it is important to have an understanding of the people who use buses. Fewer people travel to work by bus now but bus passes for the elderly have been a success. Councillor Holland added that the removal of a school bus service in Warwick will lead to an increase in car traffic in the town centre.
Councillor Izzi Seccombe reminded council that the project work being discussed will not review home to school transport. She agreed that bus services in rural areas are inadequate but noted that volunteer run bus services have been successful.
Councillor Peter Butlin welcomed the motion. He had witnessed a reduction in bus funding in the past adding that one bus a day is insufficient for communities. He cited a proposal for a light rail system in Coventry which the council may engage with. In addition, he has been briefed on electric and hydrogen bus development.
Councillor Judy Falp commented on the reduction of bus services serving her division adding that journeys that take 10 minutes by car, take almost an hour by bus. Public transport, she added, should be considered as an overall package combining buses and trains.
Councillor Bill Gifford (Seconder of the motion) stated that there is a need to develop a public transport ethos in Warwickshire. He hoped that people who work at home will begin to use public transport, but buses need to be punctual and regular. He concluded by suggesting that people who use trains are different to those who use buses. Train users should be encouraged to use buses too.
Councillor Sarah Boad (Mover of the motion) confirmed that the motion did not concern itself with school transport. She suggested that volunteer buses may, in some instances aggravate difficulties in securing good commercial services. In addition, bus services are rarely frequent or regular enough to be of use to commuters. She agreed that bus journeys usually take longer than the private car.
Vote
Council voted on the new substantive motion that incorporated the two friendly amendments. Council agreed the motion unanimously.
Resolved:
1. Bus Services in Warwickshire
It is noted that the provision of local bus services in the County have suffered during the pandemic with a reduced frequency of the service and a large drop in the number of passengers.
It is also noted that a good and regular service is essential to achieve the modal shift required to reduce the number of car journeys.
This Council resolves to set up a cross party working group to work with officers to draw up a fully costed Bus Service Improvement Plan for consideration by Cabinet.
The plan should:
Motion 2. 20mph Speed Limits
Councillor Jonathan Chilvers tabled the following motion.
“This Council will produce a costed plan for Cabinet consideration to introduce 20mph speed limits in all residential areas across Warwickshire as part of the Speed Management Strategy refresh”.
In presenting his motion Councillor Chilvers stated that there is a desire to continue the 20mph debate started previously. He stressed that he was not pursuing the concept of 20mph zones but rather 20mph limits. He suggested that some people have expressed a desire for a 20mph speed limit in their road and he asked why this could not be provided for all. It was acknowledged that a transition to 20mph would carry a financial cost but this could result in a reduction of 20% in accidents. The investment, he suggested, would see a return in a year.
Regarding enforcement it was recognised that many people would not adhere to a 20mph speed limit. They may, however, travel at 25mph.
Councillor Jonathan Chilvers noted that Councillor Wallace Redford was to table a friendly amendment but asked that it include a deadline of January 2021 for the work to be completed.
Councillor Will Roberts seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.
Amendment
Councillor Wallace Redford proposed the following by way of an amendment.
This Council will
produce a costed plan for
Cabinet consideration to introduce establish a cross party ?working group to
consider the evidence, cost, impact and/or benefit of 20mph
speed limits in all
residential areas including schools
and other sites of wider interest across Warwickshire as
part of the Speed Management Strategy refresh ?and to report the outcome of this work to
Cabinet.
Councillor Redford recognised that 20mph limits are becoming more of an issue but stressed that one size does not necessarily fit all. Lower speeds bring recognised benefits in terms of safety. He concluded by stating that the police will need to be consulted on any proposals.
Councillor Chris Kettle seconded the amendment and reserved the right to speak.
Councillor Jonathan Chilvers accepted the amendment as friendly.
Debate
Councillor Bill Gifford stated that 20mph is safer and feels safer. He agreed that there should be 20mph limits as opposed to zones which can be expensive to install.
Councillor Andy Crump agreed with the amended motion adding that there continue to be too many people killed in car accidents. He agreed that one size would not fit all and added that safer travel; officers have now been appointed. One of their tasks will be to consider bespoke schemes.
Councillor Jill Simpson-Vince cautioned that whilst 20mph speed limits will suit some urban roads they will be inappropriate for others. In addition, some serious accidents happen at low speeds especially when reversing.
Councillor Justin Kerridge commended the motion. He had driven at 20mph through his neighbourhood and rapidly became used to it. The secret, he suggested, is to have a can-do attitude and not to seek excuses for inaction.
Councillor John Holland reminded council that 20mph speed limits serve to improve air quality as well as safety.
Councillor Clare Golby wanted to make it clear that the council is not seeking to introduce blanket 20mph speed limits immediately. Many people do not like 20mph limits. There is a need to look carefully at the issue and seek the views of residents. In considering the matter careful assessment should be made of alleged savings to emergency services of reduced speed limits.
Councillor Peter Butlin reminded council that funds have been made available for advisory 20mph speed limits near to schools. There should be no blanket approach, but consideration should be given to situations where a 20mph speed limit would be appropriate.
Councillor Chris Kettle (Seconder of the amendment) asked council to demonstrate leadership around this matter. 20mph speed limits have been shown to improve safety and many residents would choose to have them. In addition, lower speeds make the introduction of active travel schemes less costly.
Councillor Jonathan Chilvers (Mover of the motion) noted that road safety officers have plenty of evidence regarding 20mph speed limits to draw on. It will be important to see a break down of the figures. He concluded that where 20mph speed limits have been introduced it has been found that the larger the area the greater the levels of compliance.
Vote
A vote was held on the amended motion. Council agreed the amended motion unanimously.
Resolved:
This Council will establish a cross party ?working group to consider the evidence, cost, impact and/or benefit of 20mph speed limits in residential areas including schools and other sites of wider interest across Warwickshire as part of the Speed Management Strategy refresh ?and to report the outcome of this work to Cabinet.