Decision
Analysis
outcome: The funding allocations set out in the report will be confirmed to ensure Wiltshire Council can spend the government grant allocated to deliver against the outcomes identified in the National Bus Strategy and Wiltshire's Bus Service Improvement Plan.
summary: The decision is about confirming funding allocations for the Bus Grant Local Authority Fund awarded to Wiltshire Council by the Department for Transport in 2025.
topline: The Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene, and Flooding has decided to confirm funding allocations for the Bus Grant Local Authority Fund in Wiltshire.
reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves allocating government funding for bus services, which can impact local transport and infrastructure.
affected_stakeholders: ["Wiltshire Council", "Department for Transport", "Local Transport Authorities", "Bus operators"]
contentiousness_score: 5
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.
URL: https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2167
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene, and Flooding
Outcome:
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: Yes
Purpose: To confirm the funding allocations for the Bus Grant Local Authority Fund (BGLA) awarded to Wiltshire Council by the Department for Transport in 2025.
Content: To confirm the funding allocations for the Bus Grant Local Authority Fund (BGLA) awarded to Wiltshire Council by the Department for Transport in 2025. Following consultation with officers I give notice that I intend to confirm the funding allocations set out in the attached report. If you would like to make any representations to me on this issue please do so by 10 July 2025. To ensure that Wiltshire Council is able spend the government grant allocated to it, in order to deliver against the outcomes identified in the National Bus Strategy, Wiltshire’s Bus Service Improvement Plan and as set out in the attached MOU. The Department for Transport has allocated BGLA funding to help those Local Transport Authorities, to improve or secure bus services in their area and improve associated bus infrastructure. The decisions on how to allocate the funding must be based on local circumstances and need. The LTA is required to allocate the funding to procure the identified services (Appendix 2) and spend the grant funding. The National Bus Strategy, “Bus Back Better”, required Wiltshire Council to make an Enhanced Partnership with its qualifying bus operators. The Enhanced Partnership Plan (EPP) is a legally binding agreement through which the parties will implement the BSIP. As part of the EP, an EP Forum and EP Board are in place and are used for consultation on issues related to the BSIP. The DfT require that the BGLA funding is used to target actions which the Local Authority and local operators, through their Enhanced Partnership, believe will deliver the outcomes set out in the attached Memorandum of Understanding (Appendix 1). As such, the funding allocations have been discussed with bus operators at Wiltshire EP Forum and Board meetings. As required by the DfT, any scheme/proposal provided for by this funding is included in the Authority’s Enhanced Partnership scheme, and the EP will be updated and varied accordingly.
Date of Decision: July 3, 2025