MINUTES of the meeting of the DIAL A RIDE TOPIC GROUP held on Monday 6 October 2008 at 2.30pm

ATTENDANCE

Members of the Topic Group

M V Bayes, R S Clements (Chairman), M E Coxage, S L Rackett, E T Roach

D T F Scudder, L J B Spencer

Officers present:

John Sykes, Integrated Transport Services Manager

Steven Barnard, Deputy Transport Manager

David Neilan, Team Leader – Community Transport

Tom Hawkyard, Head of Scrutiny

Neil Terry, Democratic Services Officer

CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman thanked Neil Terry for his work in supporting the Dial a Ride Topic Group and wished him every success in his new role with Worthing Borough Council.
1. / MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the topic group held on 5 September 2008 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
2. / PRESENTATION ON ALTERNATIVE SERVICE PROVISION AROUND THE COUNTY
David Neilan, Team Leader – Community Transport, delivered a presentation on Access and Transport (a copy of the presentation is attached to the minutes).
Consideration was given to NHS transport provision around the county. A detailed breakdown of funding provided by Hertfordshire County Council and the NHS per Borough / District was provided.
Variations in the level of funding provided per Borough / District were observed. It was noted that each scheme is different and has varying funding requirements.
The key issues identified by officers were:
·  The absence of volunteer schemes in parts of the county
·  Schemes operating independently of one another
·  Longevity of funding
Members noted that information regarding transport schemes is available on the web and that information could be obtained through the CVS or the Travellink Call Centre.
3. / PROVISION OF DIAL A RIDE SERVICE ON SATURDAYS
The Topic Group received a presentation from Steven Barnard providing user figures for the Dial a Ride Saturday service. In addition, details of the number of refusals and the reasons for them were provided (a copy of the presentation is attached to the minutes).
Members were informed that on average the Dial a Ride service can run more trips per day in urban areas as journey lengths are often shorter distances to those in rural areas.
The Topic Group noted that in large towns like Stevenage there are a number of additional transport schemes available and therefore less demand for the Dial a Ride Saturday service.
Consideration was given to variations in the Dial a Ride driver contracts. It was noted that a number of driver contracts do not stipulate Saturday working. At present drivers are paid overtime for working Saturdays.
The Topic Group requested evidence that the fall in demand for the Dial a Ride Saturday service has resulted in an increased demand for voluntary sector transport provision. The group requested that patronage figures for key providers in the following districts be brought to the next meeting:
·  Welwyn / Hatfield
·  Stevenage
·  East Herts / JS / SB
4. / DRAFT FINAL REPORT OF THE DIAL A RIDE TOPIC GROUP
Tom Hawkyard, Head of Scrutiny, introduced the draft final report of the Dial a Ride Topic Group.
Consideration was given to the proposed recommendations included within section 2 of the report.
Members expressed reservations about the accuracy of section 7.5 of the report. It was suggested that the final sentence of the paragraph be removed from the report.
The Topic Group requested that the table providing a breakdown in funding per borough / district by HCC and the NHS be appended to the report.
The following additional recommendations were agreed by the Topic Group:
1.  The expansion of the Dial a Ride service in rural areas
2.  Regularising of driver contracts
3.  That a survey of users be undertaken incorporating a question regarding usage of additional transport services
4.  The Health Scrutiny Committee consider transport issues linked to access of services
5.  A one-off scrutiny of additional transport services be added to the scrutiny work programme. / TH
TH
TH
5. / WORK PROGRAMME / FUTURE MEETINGS
The Topic Group agreed a date of Wednesday 5 November 2008 at 10.00am for their next meeting.
The Topic Group will consider:
·  Information relating to CVS
·  The final report of the Dial a Ride Topic Group / JS
TH

Neil Terry

Democratic Services Officer

October 2008

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081006 Minutes