URL: https://hertsmere.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3186

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: This item is exempt from call-in. The Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee had been consulted for permission to ensure that the decision can be treated as exempt from Call-in under Rule 16 of the Constitution Part 4.2, Access to Information Procedure Rules and in Rule 14(j) of the Constitution Part 4.5, Overview & Scrutiny Procedure Rules.   Decision   RESOLVED that Cabinet: 1.1)        noted the update on the patronage and revenue generated from the 84B bus service from July 2024 to the present; 1.2)        noted the work undertaken since September 2024 in relation to engagement, exploration of funding, and alternative options for service delivery (including appendix 3); 1.3)        agreed to allocate funding from the Neighbourhood CIL pot for Potters Bar to the value of £65k for the period up to the end of August 2025. 1.4)        Noted the assessment, based upon confidential and commercially sensitive information and the efforts made by the Cabinet member for Planning, Transport and Infrastructure to secure the continuation of the Potters Bar to Barnet route on a permanent basis at no further cost to the Council.   Reasons for decision   Since its inception in September 2023, the 84B bus route has provided a key service for local residents, including young persons under 19 and elderly people, without access to their own car, to more easily and affordably attend Barnet town and more notably Barnet Hospital.  Potters Bar has a higher proportion of elderly residents than other areas with the 2021 Census showing that 21.9% of residents in Potters Bar are aged over 65 compared to 16.6% of residents across the rest of the borough. Table 1 of the report shows the number of transactions (i.e. tickets sold) and revenue generated by the service from September 2023 to February 2025. The service generated over £9,000 during its peak in November 2025. Table 2 of the report showed that nearly 21% of users were classed as ‘elderly’ and 14% children highlighting the breadth of the ridership and importance of the service.   In September 2023, funding was approved for continuation of the service for year two, up to end of March 2025. The agreement was based on seeking alternative funding options and the route’s longer term future for year three and beyond. At the time of writing, no alternative funding sources have been identified, therefore Cabinet is requested to approve the NCIL funding again, but for the whole of year two, up to end of August 2025. No further NCIL funding is proposed after this point.   Alternative Options Considered   There are potentially two alternative options that have been considered, but are not recommended. Hertsmere could have chosen to take no further action and not provide agreement for funding beyond April 2025. If this approach was taken, the route would likely cease to operate in April 2025. Hertsmere would need to give the requisite 40 days’ notice to the operator if it were to take this approach.   Cabinet could have also decided that funding continued to be provided from NCIL for the remainder of year two, into year three and beyond, subject to the NCIL pot being able to fund the operation. This was not recommended on the basis that CIL should not be used for long-term revenue funding of infrastructure. There was no guarantee that funding would be available into year three.

Date of Decision: April 2, 2025