Agenda item

Public Transport

It was moved by Councillor Rob Murphy, seconded by Councillor Jillian Creasy, that this Council:-

(a)       understands the importance of public transport in getting access to employment, education and volunteer opportunities particularly in times of economic difficulties; and

(b)       believes also public transport is an important tool in combating the related problems of congestion, air pollution, climate change and road safety.

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Sue Alston, seconded by Councillor Ian Auckland, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of a new paragraph (c) as follows:-

(c)        therefore welcomes the millions of pounds that have been invested in Sheffield’s trams, trains and buses since 2010 as a result of Liberal Democrat influence in Government.

On being put to the vote the amendment was negatived.

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Jillian Creasy, seconded by Councillor Robert Murphy, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (c) to (e) as follows:-

(c)        notes with dismay proposals to cut over £5 million from the budget of the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (PTE), proposals which include reducing the hours and journeys qualifying for concessionary travel for OAPs and the disabled, the ending of the popular Freebee city centre bus service and  making cuts to Community Transport;

(d)       understands that making cuts to the PTE grant is a decision made by South Yorkshire councillors on the Integrated Transport Authority, not Central Government; and

(e)       calls on all Members of the South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority to reject any cuts to the PTE grant and the District Council Levy, and asks the representatives of Sheffield to convey this motion to the Authority.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was negatived.

The original Motion was then put to the vote and carried, as follows:-

RESOLVED:  That this Council:-

(a)       understands the importance of public transport in getting access to employment, education and volunteer opportunities particularly in times of economic difficulties; and

(b)       believes also public transport is an important tool in combating the related problems of congestion, air pollution, climate change and road safety.