Decision details

Introduction of charges for the hire of Shopmobility equipment

Matter for Decision

To consider the options for the shop-mobility service.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning Policy & Transport

 

                i. Approved the Introduction of annual membership fee & hire charge for equipment whilst maintaining the shopping escort and bus stop and Dial a Ride collection services.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Commercial Operations Manager which referred to the withdrawal of funding contributions from Cambridgeshire County Council in 2016 of £49,500. The shop-mobility service had continued to operate using the General Fund to cover the £49,500 shortfall with a budgeted cost of £165,000 for the current 2017/18 financial year.

 

 

The Commercial Operations Manager, the Head of Commercial Services and Strategic Director said the following in response to Members’ questions:

 

                    i.                Noted the comments regarding a valued service.

                   ii.                Research showed that Cambridge City Council was the only local authority who offered a free shop mobility service with escorted shopping and the ‘dial a ride service’.

                 iii.                Abled bodied lonely people did not have access to the service.

                iv.                Of the approximately 1500 service users a total of 36% were Cambridge residents.

                  v.                With the introduction of charges a minimum reduction of 20% in usage had been forecasted. This had been viewed as a cautious approach which had been built into the budget, although the figure could be higher or lower.

                vi.                Service users would be given an opportunity to provide feedback on the changes via different media services.

 

The Executive Councillor reiterated Cambridge BID and significant trade representatives had been consulted, those who had responded said that they would not make a monetary contribution but supported this approach as a way of sustaining the service.

 

Councillor Tunnacliffe proposed to defer the decision of the Committee in order to find alternative sources of revenue to maintain a free shop-mobility service

 

Councillor Bick seconded the proposal.

 

The proposal was lost by 2 votes to 5.

 

The Committee endorsed the recommendation by 5 votes to 0.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

 

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor