Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision

The report referred to several recommendations in relation to transport initiatives funded by Cambridge City Council and the Taxicard scheme.

 

A review of Cambridge City Council’s Taxi card scheme had recently been carried out with the aim of increasing usage by its members, within the remit of providing a more flexible Taxicard scheme.

 

Decision of the Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport.

 

      i.         Noted the report and that a further report would come to the Planning and Transport Committee in January 2022, following the implementation of approved changes and the outcomes of the proposed reviews.

    ii.         Approved the proposed changes to the Taxicard scheme for existing and new Taxicard members to operate from 1 October 2021, with a review during the first 6 months, as set out in section 3.3 of this report.

   iii.         Approved the undertaking of review work in relation to the Council’s Transport Initiatives, working with the Council’s partners including the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP).

  iv.         Noted there would be further consideration of where delegations and responsibility for policy decisions on transport initiatives should be placed.

    v.         Approved the Head of Human Resources be given delegated authority, in liaison with the Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport, and consultation with the Chair and Spokes for Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee, to make any changes that may be necessary to support the transport initiatives and schemes going forward, until such time as a wider decision around the policy and strategy decisions is agreed.

 

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 Head of Human Resources and the Corporate Business & Executive Support Manager.

In response to comments made by the Committee, the Head of Human Resources and the Corporate Business & Executive Support Manager said the following:

      i.         In relation to the Taxi-card criteria this had been means tested, aimed at residents with disabilities who were in receipt of the higher care component of the disability living allowance and daily living enhanced personal independence payment.

    ii.         The review undertaken was intended to increase the membership, providing a more flexible Taxi card scheme.

   iii.         The scheme was still operating within budget.

  iv.         Promotion of the scheme would be through Council magazines, local news and with disability groups.

    v.         Noted the comment that it might be more beneficial to residents if the Dial-a-Ride could be more flexible. 

  vi.         There would be a further review of the Dial-a-Ride service.

 vii.         Agreed that it would be beneficial for the Council to have a Transport Officer; had included in the proposals a review to be undertaken with external partners including the GCP who had the expertise in these areas.

 

The Committee

 

The Committee unanimously endorsed the Officers recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport approved the recommendations.

 

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

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.