Agenda item

5.1

It was moved by Councillor Andrew Sangar, and seconded by Councillor Kurtis Crossland, that this Council:-

(a)      is hugely disappointed at the cancellation of a number of bus services in Sheffield coming at the end of this month;

(b)      believes that the further cuts to come in the Autumn will devastate Sheffield’s public transport system, making many people’s lives much harder as they will struggle to get around our city;

(c)      believes that the Sheffield Bus Partnership has failed the citizens of Sheffield by not improving services and keeping fares low, which has led to:-

(i)       cuts to services available to the general public;

(ii)       extortionate fare increases, forcing people to use their cars over public transport as a cheaper and more accessible option; and

(iii)      a lack of public confidence in the reliability of the bus service, which is also contributing to decreasing passenger numbers; noting that punctuality of bus services has reduced, down to 83% from 87% over the past five years, whilst reliability is at its lowest rate in years;

(d)      is concerned that increased car use will add to air pollution in the city centre if fewer people are using more energy efficient bus services and that cuts to bus services are preventing people from getting to work, school, running errands and attending medical appointments;

(e)      further notes that London, which was not subject to bus deregulation in 1986, has seen decade upon decade increases in bus patronage and mileage;

(f)       notes that, under the Bus Services Act 2017, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has the power to enact bus franchising and that this was agreed in the original 2015 Sheffield devolution deal;

(g)      believes that bus franchising will be a long-term solution to these problems, allowing bus operators and local authorities to work collaboratively to improve bus services and realise untapped growth potentials in regional and rural areas;

(h)      resolves to:-

(i)       call on the Council’s and Regional Authority’s leaderships to protect passengers from further fare increases, cuts to routes and unreliable services by using any available means, which could include, but not necessarily be limited to:-

(A)      giving notice to immediately terminate any Bus Partnership Agreement;

(B)      enlisting the full support of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority;

(C)      an active media campaign; and

(D)      a review of existing bus priority measures in order to deliver a more reliable, greener and efficient bus service;

(ii)       support the introduction of a statutory bus quality contract in Sheffield; and

(iii)      send copies of this motion to all the other parties to the Bus Partnership Agreement; and

(i)       believes that alongside the strategic long-term problems with buses in our city there are a number of smaller, simpler issues that need to be resolved in order to give Sheffield the best possible bus and mass transit services, and these include:-

(i)             improving the accuracy of real time information signage at bus stops;

(ii)            making sure every bus stop accurately identifies the buses that stop there, and has accurate timetables physically displayed; and

(iii)      linking trams to buses at terminals as part of making sure that all of Sheffield’s mass transit services link together to provide a properly integrated service.

5.1.1

(NOTE: With the agreement of the Council and at the request of the mover of the Motion (Councillor Andrew Sangar), the Motion as published on the agenda was altered by the substitution of the word “any” for the word “the” in sub-paragraph (h)(i)(A) of the Motion.)

5.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Tom Hunt, and seconded by Councillor Fran Belbin, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (j) to (m) as follows:-

(j)       notes that the Sheffield Bus Partnership was, effectively, the only option at the Council’s disposal at the time to bring bus operators and transport authorities together, and that, for all of this Partnership’s failings, it did deliver reduced fares and more local control over input into the routes and delivery of the bus operations than would have been achieved by simply doing nothing;

(k)      recalls comments by former Liberal Democrat Transport Minister, Norman Baker, "The Sheffield Bus Agreement is good news for the city and shows what can be achieved when local councils, bus operators and transport authorities work together for the benefit of passengers. This partnership will transform passengers’ experience by making bus travel easier and cheaper" and recalls that the Liberal Democrats in government favoured pursuing the Bus Partnership Agreement, rather than providing local authorities with the means and finances to run their own services;

(l)       notes that the Bus Partnership Agreement is no longer in existence, having been replaced by the South Yorkshire Enhanced Partnership – which unlike the previous voluntary agreement has more statutory influence - and that this was only agreed in March 2022 and launched under the new Mayor in June 2022, bringing together the new South Yorkshire Mayor, all South Yorkshire Local Authority Leaders, and representatives from bus operators; and

(m)     notes that the process to begin franchising is underway, something councillors from across the chamber have called for, but that the process will take approximately 18 months and believes that at present the enhanced partnership is currently the best course of action available to influence bus operators, and that it would be a terrible decision for Sheffield to be the only local authority without a voice and influence within this partnership.

5.3

It was then moved by Councillor Douglas Johnson, and seconded by Councillor Bernard Little, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (j) to (o) as follows:-

(j)       believes that politicians across South Yorkshire have undermined public transport for many years by promoting individual car use, through providing free or low-cost car parking in town / city centres, ineffective and insufficient parking enforcement and active opposition to improvement measures like bus lanes or residents’ parking schemes;

(k)      regrets the lack of ambition set out in the Bus Service Improvement Plan submitted to the Government by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and in particular that “success” would have meant fewer people using buses in the future;

(l)       notes that bus operators are commercial companies and are not primarily there to provide a public service; and therefore believes in a need for public ownership and control of buses;

(m)     believes that public transport is an equality issue, as only 35% of the population in the bottom 10% of wealth own a car, whereas 93% of the top 10% own at least one;

(n)      notes that Yorkshire and Humberside already gets only £500 per head of population spent on transport compared with £1,476 for London (in 2020/21) and believes that the Government cannot be serious about “levelling up” until it guarantees equal funding; and

(o)      however, recognises that this Council must do what it can to support as many buses on as many routes as it can and therefore requests the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee to consider using all the levers at its disposal to make public transport more attractive than private cars, including:-

(i)       advertising to promote public transport usage, in particular aimed at those who do not routinely use buses and including through the universities;

(ii)       lower fares, multi-operator tickets and tap-on technology as standard;

(iii)      measures for multi-modal travel, including bikes on trams;

(iv)      higher parking fees for private car ownership;

(v)      more priority routes for buses and trams;

(vi)      higher quality bus or tram shelters, and staffed bus/tram interchanges;

(vii)     more effective enforcement of illegal, selfish and dangerous parking that often goes unchecked;

(viii)    schemes such as an employer’s workplace parking levy to reduce the perks of free parking and raise substantial sums to provide improved bus services, tram services and better walking and cycling infrastructure;

(ix)      allowing a reasonable increase in regulated taxi fares; and

(x)      encouraging innovative neighbourhood community hub bus services that serve local shopping areas.

5.4

After contributions from six other Members, and following a right of reply from Councillor Andrew Sangar, the amendment moved by Councillor Tom Hunt was put to the vote and was carried.

5.4.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 43 Members; AGAINST - 25 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members.  Councillor Lewis Chinchen voted for, but abstained on paragraph (k) of the amendment.)

5.5

The amendment moved by Councillor Douglas Johnson was then put to the vote and was carried in part.  Paragraphs (j), (k) & (o) of the amendment were lost and paragraphs (l), (m) & (n) of the amendment were carried.

5.5.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 39 Members; AGAINST - 26 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members.  The Labour Group members voted for, but against paragraphs (j) & (k) and abstained from voting on paragraph (o) of the amendment.)

5.6

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form:-

RESOLVED:  That this Council:-

(a)      is hugely disappointed at the cancellation of a number of bus services in Sheffield coming at the end of this month;

(b)      believes that the further cuts to come in the Autumn will devastate Sheffield’s public transport system, making many people’s lives much harder as they will struggle to get around our city;

(c)      believes that the Sheffield Bus Partnership has failed the citizens of Sheffield by not improving services and keeping fares low, which has led to:-

(i)       cuts to services available to the general public;

(ii)       extortionate fare increases, forcing people to use their cars over public transport as a cheaper and more accessible option; and

(iii)      a lack of public confidence in the reliability of the bus service, which is also contributing to decreasing passenger numbers; noting that punctuality of bus services has reduced, down to 83% from 87% over the past five years, whilst reliability is at its lowest rate in years;

(d)      is concerned that increased car use will add to air pollution in the city centre if fewer people are using more energy efficient bus services and that cuts to bus services are preventing people from getting to work, school, running errands and attending medical appointments;

(e)      further notes that London, which was not subject to bus deregulation in 1986, has seen decade upon decade increases in bus patronage and mileage;

(f)       notes that, under the Bus Services Act 2017, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has the power to enact bus franchising and that this was agreed in the original 2015 Sheffield devolution deal;

(g)      believes that bus franchising will be a long-term solution to these problems, allowing bus operators and local authorities to work collaboratively to improve bus services and realise untapped growth potentials in regional and rural areas;

(h)      resolves to:-

(i)       call on the Council’s and Regional Authority’s leaderships to protect passengers from further fare increases, cuts to routes and unreliable services by using any available means, which could include, but not necessarily be limited to:-

(A)      giving notice to immediately terminate any Bus Partnership Agreement;

(B)      enlisting the full support of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority;

(C)      an active media campaign; and

(D)      a review of existing bus priority measures in order to deliver a more reliable, greener and efficient bus service;

(ii)       support the introduction of a statutory bus quality contract in Sheffield;

(iii)      send copies of this motion to all the other parties to the Bus Partnership Agreement;

(i)       believes that alongside the strategic long-term problems with buses in our city there are a number of smaller, simpler issues that need to be resolved in order to give Sheffield the best possible bus and mass transit services, and these include:-

(i)       improving the accuracy of real time information signage at bus stops;

(ii)       making sure every bus stop accurately identifies the buses that stop there, and has accurate timetables physically displayed; and

(iii)      linking trams to buses at terminals as part of making sure that all of Sheffield’s mass transit services link together to provide a properly integrated service;

(j)       notes that the Sheffield Bus Partnership was, effectively, the only option at the Council’s disposal at the time to bring bus operators and transport authorities together, and that, for all of this Partnership’s failings, it did deliver reduced fares and more local control over input into the routes and delivery of the bus operations than would have been achieved by simply doing nothing;

(k)      recalls comments by former Liberal Democrat Transport Minister, Norman Baker, "The Sheffield Bus Agreement is good news for the city and shows what can be achieved when local councils, bus operators and transport authorities work together for the benefit of passengers. This partnership will transform passengers’ experience by making bus travel easier and cheaper" and recalls that the Liberal Democrats in government favoured pursuing the Bus Partnership Agreement, rather than providing local authorities with the means and finances to run their own services;

(l)       notes that the Bus Partnership Agreement is no longer in existence, having been replaced by the South Yorkshire Enhanced Partnership – which unlike the previous voluntary agreement has more statutory influence - and that this was only agreed in March 2022 and launched under the new Mayor in June 2022, bringing together the new South Yorkshire Mayor, all South Yorkshire Local Authority Leaders, and representatives from bus operators;

(m)     notes that the process to begin franchising is underway, something councillors from across the chamber have called for, but that the process will take approximately 18 months and believes that at present the enhanced partnership is currently the best course of action available to influence bus operators, and that it would be a terrible decision for Sheffield to be the only local authority without a voice and influence within this partnership;

(n)      notes that bus operators are commercial companies and are not primarily there to provide a public service; and therefore believes in a need for public ownership and control of buses;

(o)      believes that public transport is an equality issue, as only 35% of the population in the bottom 10% of wealth own a car, whereas 93% of the top 10% own at least one; and

(p)      notes that Yorkshire and Humberside already gets only £500 per head of population spent on transport compared with £1,476 for London (in 2020/21) and believes that the Government cannot be serious about “levelling up” until it guarantees equal funding.

5.6.1

On being put to the vote, the Substantive Motion was carried, except for paragraph (h)(i)(A) which was lost. 

5.6.2

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 66 Members; AGAINST - 0 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members.  The Labour Group members voted for, but against paragraphs (c)(i), (ii) & (iii) and (h)(i)(A) of the Substantive Motion.  The Liberal Democrat Group members voted for, but against paragraphs (j) to (o) of the Substantive Motion. The Green Group members voted for, but against paragraph (h)(i)(A) of the Substantive Motion.  Councillor Lewis Chinchen voted for, but against paragraph (n) and abstained from voting on paragraphs (k) and (p) of the Substantive Motion.)

5.7

Accordingly, the resolution passed by the Council was as follows:-

RESOLVED:  That this Council:-

(a)      is hugely disappointed at the cancellation of a number of bus services in Sheffield coming at the end of this month;

(b)      believes that the further cuts to come in the Autumn will devastate Sheffield’s public transport system, making many people’s lives much harder as they will struggle to get around our city;

(c)      believes that the Sheffield Bus Partnership has failed the citizens of Sheffield by not improving services and keeping fares low, which has led to:-

(i)       cuts to services available to the general public;

(ii)       extortionate fare increases, forcing people to use their cars over public transport as a cheaper and more accessible option; and

(iii)      a lack of public confidence in the reliability of the bus service, which is also contributing to decreasing passenger numbers; noting that punctuality of bus services has reduced, down to 83% from 87% over the past five years, whilst reliability is at its lowest rate in years;

(d)      is concerned that increased car use will add to air pollution in the city centre if fewer people are using more energy efficient bus services and that cuts to bus services are preventing people from getting to work, school, running errands and attending medical appointments;

(e)      further notes that London, which was not subject to bus deregulation in 1986, has seen decade upon decade increases in bus patronage and mileage;

(f)       notes that, under the Bus Services Act 2017, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has the power to enact bus franchising and that this was agreed in the original 2015 Sheffield devolution deal;

(g)      believes that bus franchising will be a long-term solution to these problems, allowing bus operators and local authorities to work collaboratively to improve bus services and realise untapped growth potentials in regional and rural areas;

(h)      resolves to:-

(i)       call on the Council’s and Regional Authority’s leaderships to protect passengers from further fare increases, cuts to routes and unreliable services by using any available means, which could include, but not necessarily be limited to:-

(A)      enlisting the full support of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority;

(B)      an active media campaign; and

(C)      a review of existing bus priority measures in order to deliver a more reliable, greener and efficient bus service;

(ii)       support the introduction of a statutory bus quality contract in Sheffield; and

(iii)      send copies of this motion to all the other parties to the Bus Partnership Agreement;

(i)       believes that alongside the strategic long-term problems with buses in our city there are a number of smaller, simpler issues that need to be resolved in order to give Sheffield the best possible bus and mass transit services, and these include:-

(i)       improving the accuracy of real time information signage at bus stops;

(ii)       making sure every bus stop accurately identifies the buses that stop there, and has accurate timetables physically displayed; and

(iii)      linking trams to buses at terminals as part of making sure that all of Sheffield’s mass transit services link together to provide a properly integrated service;

(j)       notes that the Sheffield Bus Partnership was, effectively, the only option at the Council’s disposal at the time to bring bus operators and transport authorities together, and that, for all of this Partnership’s failings, it did deliver reduced fares and more local control over input into the routes and delivery of the bus operations than would have been achieved by simply doing nothing;

(k)      recalls comments by former Liberal Democrat Transport Minister, Norman Baker, "The Sheffield Bus Agreement is good news for the city and shows what can be achieved when local councils, bus operators and transport authorities work together for the benefit of passengers. This partnership will transform passengers’ experience by making bus travel easier and cheaper" and recalls that the Liberal Democrats in government favoured pursuing the Bus Partnership Agreement, rather than providing local authorities with the means and finances to run their own services;

(l)       notes that the Bus Partnership Agreement is no longer in existence, having been replaced by the South Yorkshire Enhanced Partnership – which unlike the previous voluntary agreement has more statutory influence - and that this was only agreed in March 2022 and launched under the new Mayor in June 2022, bringing together the new South Yorkshire Mayor, all South Yorkshire Local Authority Leaders, and representatives from bus operators;

(m)     notes that the process to begin franchising is underway, something councillors from across the chamber have called for, but that the process will take approximately 18 months and believes that at present the enhanced partnership is currently the best course of action available to influence bus operators, and that it would be a terrible decision for Sheffield to be the only local authority without a voice and influence within this partnership;

(n)      notes that bus operators are commercial companies and are not primarily there to provide a public service; and therefore believes in a need for public ownership and control of buses;

(o)      believes that public transport is an equality issue, as only 35% of the population in the bottom 10% of wealth own a car, whereas 93% of the top 10% own at least one; and

(p)      notes that Yorkshire and Humberside already gets only £500 per head of population spent on transport compared with £1,476 for London (in 2020/21) and believes that the Government cannot be serious about “levelling up” until it guarantees equal funding.