Community Transport update

Transcription

1 Community Transport update Committee Operations Date of meeting 26 January 2018 Date of report 8 January 2018 Report by Assistant Chief Executive (Operations) 1. Object of report To provide an update on Community Transport. 2. Background Community Transport (CT) is safe, accessible, cost-effective, flexible transport run by the community for the community, as defined by the Community Transport Association. CT providers typically offer a range of services to members including minibus operation for community groups, door to door services on demand, volunteer car schemes and registered community bus services. CT providers are not for profit organisations that vary in scale and services delivered, are staffed by a mix of volunteer and paid staff, and utilise minibuses, people carriers and cars to deliver their services. CT minibus services operate under Section 19 permits (allows CT operators to provide transport to the organisations members only) or Section 22 permits (allows CT operators to provide transport to the general public - on registered local bus routes). The permit system is currently being reviewed by the UK Department for Transport, pending wider consultation. Within the SPT area, 63 CT organisations have been identified with an estimated combined annual turnover of circa 7 million 1. It is estimated that over 1,000 vehicles are collectively being used by these CT operators, delivering circa 600,000 passenger journeys, 1.4 million fleet miles per annum with at least 1,100 volunteer drivers and 3,500 other support volunteers. Currently 21 of the above CT organisations form the West of Scotland Community Transport Network, which SPT facilitates to assist in bringing co-ordination, enhanced quality and better use of resources within the sector. A full list of members is provided in Appendix 1. 1 Source; Report on Community Transport in West of Scotland, Systra, 2014

2 Over the last 5 years, SPT have provided over 3m in grant funding to CT operators to support service delivery. Annually, this support facilitates group transport for over 800 local community groups (including the elderly, disabled, jobseekers, young people and other vulnerable groups), supports 7 volunteer car schemes (improving access to healthcare) and delivers 4 registered Community Bus services, filling key gaps in the local bus network. Additionally, SPT arrange CT services for Glasgow City Council in respect of transport for Voluntary Clubs and Assisted Support for Learning Schools, providing further support of circa 300k per annum to local CT operators. 3. Outline of proposals Benefits of CT Research in 2015 by Scottish Government into the Social and Economic Benefits of the CT sector highlighted that from an Economic perspective, the potential cost savings provided to social services, the NHS and local authorities, combined with the unremunerated productive hours offered by volunteers, suggests that CT generates significant economic benefits. From a Social perspective, the contribution of CT across a wide range of policy areas was highlighted, including tackling issues such as poor accessibility, social isolation and reducing inequalities. Further details available at: CT Challenges While the Economic and Social benefits of CT noted above are well established, the sector faces a number of key challenges including the following; An increased demand for services driven by the ageing population base, and contraction of commercial bus services in many areas. Increased demand for access to healthcare, linked to the increasing centralisation of acute health services and an increase in community based primary care services both adding to increased community transport needs. More ridged application by the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) of their Patient Needs Assessment (PNA) for transport, has resulted in growing demand by those who do not meet the PNA, though still require transport for healthcare. This group generally do not have access to a private car or suitable access to mainstream public transport, and are increasingly approaching / seeking CT providers. Access to funding support for services and vehicles, remains a challenge for CT operators. A shortage of volunteer drivers remains an issue for CT operators. Similarly, a shortage of volunteer drivers with a D1 licence, remains an issue (If you got your driving licence after 1/1/97, you require additional D1 certification to drive a minibus). CT services are not universally available across Strathclyde, for example North Ayrshire, West Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire currently have no CT operators. CT Permit System The UK Department for Transport is due to shortly launch a consultation on the future of the CT Permit System. Initial indications are that this may result in CT operators being obligated to meet full Public Service Vehicle Operator s Licence conditions. OP01R206-v3 (15:30) Page 2 of 5

3 The implications of such a change would require CT operators to employ a qualified Transport Manager, CT Drivers would require full CPC certification and CT organisations would be required to meet stricter financial standing conditions. The Community Transport Association has highlighted that this is likely to be particularly challenging and costly for many CT operators to achieve, and that if implemented some CT operations may cease. However, SPT also has a view that bringing such licence conditions into the CT sector will, in certain cases, strengthen the case and preparedness of the sector to provide lower cost registered community bus services, filling gaps, complementing commercial bus services and supporting vulnerable communities. CT Governance In addition to grant funding support for core CT service delivery, SPT also facilitates the West of Scotland Community Transport Network. The Network, endorsed by the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, is a partnership between SPT and 21 local CT operators established to assist in bringing greater co-ordination, enhanced quality and better use of resources within the sector. Members of the network are required to meet a quality framework which includes financial standing, records keeping and maintenance standards. Such standards support development of a professional and accountable CT sector. They are also appropriate to the legal and practical framework of the CT sector. CT Coverage As noted above, the West of Scotland Community Transport Network includes 21 local CT organisations, operating across 8 local authorities. However, a key challenge is that CT services are not universally available across Strathclyde. Therefore, to improve CT coverage, SPT has over recent years worked closely with key stakeholders including Councils, NHS Boards and Third Sector organisations, to establish demand and support the establishment of CT. Notable successes include the establishment of CT in North Lanarkshire (CT Operator - Getting Better Together) and South Ayrshire (CT Operator South Ayrshire CT). Discussions also continue with stakeholders on the establishment of CT operations in North Ayrshire and Renfrewshire respectively. Additionally, SPT have worked with CT operators to expand services, including the provision of volunteer car schemes. In particular, SPT have provided support for the establishment of 7 volunteer car schemes predominantly focused on access to healthcare services. Further details are provided in appendix 2. Community Bus Services Whilst group / member transport remains the cornerstone of CT activity, a growing area has been the establishment of registered community bus services, operated by CT providers, often as a result of the contraction of commercial bus services within local communities. Notable examples of where SPT has successfully worked with CT operators to develop registered community bus services include the following; Service CB1 (Townhead), operated by North Area Transport Association (NATA) Service CB2 (Drumchapel), operated by Community Transport Glasgow, Service CB4 (Sighthill), operated by North Area Transport Association (NATA) Service 73 (Crawford Lesmahagow), operated by Rural Development Trust OP01R206-v3 (15:30) Page 3 of 5

4 The above services have demonstrated CT s ability to deliver registered bus services and have developed the capability of the sector to meet such local needs. Comparatively, such services offer a cost effective, flexible, adaptable and expandable solution to delivering public transport trips within vulnerable communities. They are also specifically designed as feeder routes which integrate with the commercial bus network at interchange points. CT Capacity Whilst SPT have undoubtedly facilitated much progress in the development of CT, the capacity of the sector remains constrained due to challenges noted above. Partly to address this, SPT took forward the CT Public Social Partnership (PSP) initiative, a strategic partnering arrangement with CT organisations to jointly design & pilot transport services based around user needs. The PSP also sought to improve the capacity and capability of the sector through the development of training, volunteering and employability opportunities. To date 47 candidates have completed D1 driver licence training with 5 volunteer drivers entering employment as a result of obtaining their D1 licence. A further success was the establishment of the CB8 Service (Barr to Girvan) operated by South Ayrshire CT, a new CT operator. The service (which operates on Mondays, Wednesday s and Fridays) and operator have clearly demonstrated their ability to deliver registered community bus services alongside expanded mainstream CT group activities, at a time of growing demand. Future of Local Bus Services Development and establishment of experienced CT operators will become increasingly important due to pending legislative change governing operation of registered local bus services in Scotland. SPT s response to the Scottish Government consultation on Local Bus Services highlighted that meaningful partnership working must form the heart of any new legislative provision to address decline in the bus market. With increasingly constrained budgets, Community Transport will form a key part of any partnership solution, providing cost effective public transport links within communities, filling gaps in the network and complementing mainstream commercial bus provision, where appropriate. Encouragingly, the Community Transport Association has endorsed this partnership approach and formally expressed their desire to participate in the Strathclyde Bus Alliance as this moves forward. 4. Conclusions The CT sector provides strong Economic and Social benefits to the communities which they serve and wider society. The CT sector faces a number of challenges in respect of demographic change, growing demand for healthcare services, driver shortages, access to funding, and potential changes to the UK CT permit system. CT coverage, while expanding, remains limited. SPT has been leading the way in relation to the development of the Community Transport Sector in Scotland. A strong foundation has been built over the last few years through the grant funding provided for CT services, establishment of the West of OP01R206-v3 (15:30) Page 4 of 5

5 Scotland Community Transport Network, delivery of Community Bus Services and through the PSP initiative. The CT sector will play a key role in future partnership arrangements governing delivery of registered local bus services, such as the proposed Strathclyde Bus Alliance, through the delivery of Community Bus services, complementing commercial network provision. 5. Committee action The Committee is recommended to note the contents of this report. 6. Consequences Policy consequences: Legal consequences: Financial consequences: In line with Regional Transport Strategy. None. No direct financial consequences. Personnel consequences: None. Equalities consequences: Risk consequences: Community Transport supports improved access to transport for vulnerable groups and communities. None. Eric Stewart Assistant Chief Executive (Operations) Gordon Maclennan Chief Executive For further information, please contact Gordon Dickson, Bus Development Manager, on ext OP01R206-v3 (15:30) Page 5 of 5

6 APPENDIX I LIST OF WEST OF SCOTLAND COMMUNITY TRANSPORT NETWORK MEMBERS COMMUNITY TRANSPORT ORGANISATION LOCAL AUTHORITY Project Cost SPT Grant % OF SPT GRANT (Figure from Funding (17/18) FUNDING OF application) PROJECT COSTS Ardgowan Hospice Inverclyde 55,874 16,000 29% Blantyre Volunteer Group South Lanarkshire 79,000 20,000 25% British Red Cross South Ayrshire N/A N/A N/A Coalfields Community Transport East Ayrshire 591,651 80,661 14% Community Central Halls Glasgow N/A N/A N/A Community Transport Glasgow (CTG) Glasgow 720,000* 121,578 17% Cumbernauld Action for Care of the Elderly North Lanarkshire N/A N/A N/A East Dunbartonshire CT (operated by CTG) East Dunbartonshire 52,640 25,000 47% East Kilbride Community Transport South Lanarkshire 67,000 15,000 22% East Renfrewshire Community Transport East Renfrewshire 50,000 20,000 40% Getting Better Together North Lanarkshire 286,934 32,000 11% Glasgow Old People s Welfare Association Glasgow N/A N/A N/A Glenboig Neighbourhood Centre North Lanarkshire N/A N/A N/A Inverclyde Voluntary Council for Social Services Inverclyde N/A N/A N/A Larkhall and District Volunteer Group South Lanarkshire N/A N/A N/A North Area Transport Association (NATA) Glasgow 334,687 57,240 17% Port Glasgow Voluntary Transport Group Inverclyde 145,514 10,000 7% Rural Development Trust South Lanarkshire 525,000 86,488 16% RVS Clydesdale South Lanarkshire 64,834* 12,000 19% South Ayrshire Community Transport (SACT) South Ayrshire 122,346 31,000 25% South West Community Transport Glasgow 178,510 26,310 15% SPT Grant funding based on core funding awarded in 2017/18 and estimated contribution to other services (based on 16/17 figures). * Note; Project costs are estimates based on latest available information.

7 APPENDIX Il LIST OF VOLUNTEER CAR SCHEMES SUPPORTED BY SPT NAME OF SCHEME Community Transport East Renfrewshire Getting Better Together Camglen Volunteer Car Scheme RVS Rural Clydesdale Ardgowan Hospice South West Community Transport Community Transport Glasgow LOCAL AUTHORITY AREA East Renfrewshire North Lanarkshire South Lanarkshire South Lanarkshire Inverclyde Glasgow Glasgow