URL: https://northnorthants.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2433

Decision Maker: Executive Member - Highways and Travel

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:  Most bus services are provided commercially, but the Council can supplement these services with additional local bus services to increase accessibility and sustainable transport in the council area.   The Council has its own supported bus service budget of £283,000 and this is currently supplemented by funding from Section 106 developer contributions and Department for Transport grants.   The North Northamptonshire Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) outlines ambitions to increase patronage for local bus services which is most likely to be achieved by uplifting capacity in urban areas. The Council received BSIP funding in three tranches to help achieve this aim with DfT agreeing this could fund services to March 2026. The Executive on 14th September 2023 delegated authority to the Executive Member for Highways, Travel & Assets in consultation with the Executive Director of Place & Economy to take any actions needed to award the local bus service contracts and any further decisions/actions relating to expenditure of the BSIP+ funding.   As reported to Executive on 18 April 2024, a series of service improvements has been developed for implementation using this funding, subject to affordability and value for money.  Annex 5 provides a status update for the service improvements reported to Executive.   The new/improved services are being introduced on a phased basis. Because of the uncertainty of future grant funding levels, many contracts have been awarded with initial terms ending on 29th March 2025, with possible extensions for one or more further years.    The allocation of further revenue grant funding to support bus services makes it affordable to extend all the contracts currently expiring on 28th March 2026 on which extensions are exercisable for a further year to 27th March 2027.   However, contract DMN408 for one evening journey on Corby service 2C will not be extended beyond the current contract termination on 28th March 2026 as this service represents poor value for money, carrying no more than one passenger per journey.  

Content:

Date of Decision: December 18, 2025