Issue - meetings

(Voting: unanimous)

The Assistant Director (Communities) presented her report to members. She explained that the recommendation was to approve an annual funding contribution of £2000 under the terms of the partnership arrangement.

She pointed out that the details of journeys recorded were provided on page 7 of the agenda. She explained that this is 8 trains on the line up and down each day with a smaller number on Sundays. She advised there had been an increase on the demand and that this overcrowding has caused some accessibility issues. Reliability issues have been taken up with the Train Operating Company GWR.  

She pointed out that;

·         The Partnership has an excellent website which publishes timetables and that they are working with GWR on establishing the case for an hourly service south of Westbury.

·         Plans have been developed to look at possible south side platform access for Bruton station.

·         Additional car parking spaces are being developed at Castle Cary station.

During the discussion she responded to members questions. One question related to whether funding was offered to other train partnerships. The Assistant Director advised that she was unaware of an approach to SSDC for funding for other mainline services. She confirmed that she would be happy to look into this in relation to SW Trains and Templecombe Train Station

Members commented that they were unhappy that not all fares were being collected from passengers.

Following the discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the funding be allocated to The Heart of Wessex Partnership. The Assistant Director would prepare a letter from the committee to GWR to accompany the confirmation of funding to raise concerns about short trains and fare dodging.

On being put to the vote, this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  that members

1)    Noted and commented on the work undertaken by the Partnership in  2016/17 and that a similar report would be taken to Area South Committee and

2)    Approved a funding contribution from the members discretionary budget for 2017/18.

(Voting: unanimous)