northlincs.gov.uk

44 (12) PUBLIC TRANSPORT – CONCESSIONARY FARE SCHEME 2009-10 – The Service Director Highways and Planning submitted a report seeking approval for the draft Concessionary Fare Scheme Statement for 2009/10.

Since 1 April 2008, people aged 60 and over and people with disabilities had been entitled to free local bus travel throughout England. The council had to issue passes to eligible residents and also reimburse bus operators the money they lost by providing free travel.

The council provided a concession which was better than the Government’s minimum requirements: North Lincolnshire passholders could travel free within the area all day every day; free bus travel was available to companions of people who were unable to use public transport on their own; and passholders could travel at reduced fare on local trains (free if they were blind, deaf, limbless, severe learning disabled or unable to walk).

Bus operators were entitled to be ‘no better off and no worse off’ than they would have been without the scheme. In 2008/09, the Council reimbursed bus operators on the basis of number of pass holder journeys x average adult fare x 71 per cent. This rate was set following advice from consultants in Autumn 2007.

It was proposed that the reimbursement factor should remain at 71 per cent in 2009/10 and this rate should include any payment required for extra capacity or administration. The terms of the scheme were included in the draft statement for 2009/10 appende to the report.

Resolved – That the draft Concessionary Fare Scheme Statement for 2009/10 be approved.

45 (13) REVIEW OF HUMBER ESTUARY TO COMPLY WITH HABITAT REGULATIONS – The Service Director Highways and Planning submitted a report seeking approval to adopt the proposal to develop the Humber Partnership Group to carry out a review of the Humber Estuary.

The Humber Estuary had the highest possible level of protection in terms of nature conservation under European and English Law. This provision was by means of the Habitat Regulations, 1994.

Regulation 6 of the Habitats Regulations reflected the requirement placed on member states by the Habitats Directive, to review all planning permissions and other consents that could affect the interest features for which European sites had been designated.

Planning authorities were considered to be ‘competent authorities’ for the review of planning permissions and other consents (Regulation 6). It was proposed to establish a Humber Partnership Group (HPG) of all the local authorities bordering the Humber. The purpose of the HPG was to carry out a review of all extant planning permissions, consents and projects pursuant to their obligations as set out and required within the Habitats Regulations 1994.

Resolved – That the proposal to develop the Humber Partnership Group, who will carry out the review of the Humber Estuary, be approved.>