ILE Service Update Full Report
Renfrewshire Council · 29 May 2024
Back to Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board — 29 May 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
__________________________________________________________________________ To: Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board On: 29 May 2024 _________________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure _________________________________________________________________________ Heading: Service Update Report _________________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 This report provides an overview of key service activities since the last Policy Board report on 20 March 2024 and an update on the services and key projects delivered during this period. 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board: 2.1 Approves the content of this report. 2.2 Approves the officers response to the Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy Consultation attached at Appendix 1 of this report. 3. Background 3.1 Environment, Housing & Infrastructure provides essential services to every household in Renfrewshire and works in partnership with the local community, other service areas and Community Planning Partners, to deliver key Council priorities and initiatives. A progress update on the main activities delivered by the services in respect of the areas of activity delegated to this Policy Board, is detailed below. Updates for Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board 4. Climate Change 4.1 Energy Management
Page 2
Energy Efficiency Fund 4.1.1 Work is ongoing between the Energy Team and Finance with a view to securing funding to be used towards increasing the energy efficiency of our Public Buildings. The technologies being investigated as part of a business case include boiler control upgrades, LED installations, installation of additional Solar Photovoltaic panels, water saving controls, etc. ECO4 Flex 4.1.2 ECO4 Flex will allow the Council to approve funding to Renfrewshire’s private sector, fuel poor households that do not meet criteria for other schemes, as well as low- income households that are vulnerable to the effects of the cold. The scheme is part of the UK Government Energy Company Obligation and is managed by Ofgem. 4.1.3 The qualifying criteria for ECO-Flex, as set by Ofgem, is published on our website in a document called a Statement of Intent. Renfrewshire’s Statement of Intent can be found here: https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/media/15354/ECO4-flex-statement-of- intent/pdf/Renfrewshire_Council_Statement_of_Intent_for_ECO4_flex.pdf?m=167568 7584337ECO-flex. ECO-flex, does not apply to Council Housing or Registered Social Landlords. 4.1.4 The energy efficiency measures being installed within Renfrewshire include: boilers, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels, heating controls, first time central heating etc. The table below highlights the savings ECO4 Flex has achieved to date based on annually recurring savings: Financial Year Value of Grant Funding Requested (£) Total Annual Consumption Saving (kW) Total Annual CO2 Saving in Kg Total Annual Cost Saving (£) 2023/24 £3,583,940 1,310,162 648,617 £231,789 2024/25 £243,460 131,318 32,081 £14,460 4.2 Biodiversity Projects – Wildflower Meadows / Restoring Renfrewshire Rivers 4.2.1 Biodiversity areas in Renfrewshire: A delivery of custom seed mixes for spring habitat enhancement works and for autumn 2024 habitat enhancement works was received in March. Ground preparation and seed sowing for spring 2024 habitat enhancement works began in March to establish native wildflower meadow at 8 of the publicly consulted project sites. 1 further site was sown in April, and 2 further sites will receive supplementary sowing in autumn 2024. The project website can be viewed at Biodiversity Areas in Renfrewshire. 4.2.2 The Restoring Renfrewshire’s Rivers project is now underway. A press release, council webpage and social media updates unveiling the project were published on 27 March. The project officer has been progressing a range of project strands including researching and creating project specific risk assessments and recruitment of volunteers to assist with the project. Dates for volunteer training are currently being
Page 3
organised. Visits to check the feasibility of the 5 selected sites and to survey them for the invasive plant species were completed in April. 4.3 Winter Resilience Update 4.3.1 To the 1 May 2024, the Winter Maintenance programme has used a cumulative total of over 4,671 tonnes of salt gritting Renfrewshire roads. The service has gritted primary network routes 129 times and our secondary network on 25 occasions over the winter period. This is similar to last year, however considerably down from the previous 4 years, reflecting the milder, wetter winters we have experienced. Conversely, the number of occasions that Road Operations required to attend to flooding issues over the same period, greatly increased. 5. Team Up to Clean Up 5.1.1 A high volume of interest was generated by this Year’s Big Spring Clean with 725 events taking place, supported by 2,239 volunteers The business community across Renfrewshire, schools community groups and individuals all got involved with presentations also being delivered to school pupils stressing the value of keeping their community tidy and the local and global benefits. The Office team also delivered 4 litter picking events at local retail parks throughout March, inviting businesses and volunteers, generating awareness of the Campaign, the principles, and the volunteer’s work. 5.1.2 The Conservation Volunteers again successfully delivered 3 workshops in Renfrewshire hosted by West End Growing Grounds Association (WEGGA), Evergreen Elderslie, and Renfrew Association of Growers & Gardeners (RAGG). Each of the events was well received with attendees learning how to create their own wildflower meadow areas. 5.1.3 Team Up to Clean Up were awarded an “Outstanding Achievement” accreditation at the Provost Awards in March. Sixteen volunteers enjoyed the award ceremony, they were accompanied by the office Team Up team. Attendees were treated to a 3-course meal and entertainment, while the Provost acknowledged and voiced appreciation for everyone involved, together with their dedication and commitment 5.2 Environmental Taskforce 5.2.1 The Environmental Taskforce continues to deliver intervention to reduce instances of flytipping. Key statistics for the most recent period are: Action January to April 2024 Proactive visits to identified hotspot areas 428 Number of reports investigated 343 Tonnes of flytipping removed 51 tonnes Number of sites secured to prevent further flytipping 0
Page 4
Letters to private landowners re flytipping 9 Visits to businesses to ensure Waste Disposal Arrangements in place 17 Fixed Penalty Notices Issued 16 5.2.2 Taskforce cameras have been relocated to obtain visual evidence at local flytipping hotspot locations. 5.2.3 Cameras are a successful deterrent, however securing sites, where possible, remains the most effective method to prevent incidences of flytipping. The Environmental Taskforce has arranged soil bunding, bollards and hoarding to secure appropriate open spaces. Working alongside businesses the Team has further encouraged fencing and bollards to be erected, as well as the installation of CCTV at one private site. 12 hotspot locations have benefitted from these preventative measures. 6. Fleet, Roads and Transportation 6.1 Fleet Services 6.1.1 Procurement for the 24/25 Vehicle Replacement Programme is underway. An additional 15 electric vehicles will be added to the core operational fleet within the coming year, continuing progress towards zero emission vehicle targets. 6.1.2 The Fleet Service has procured a new fleet management system Asset Works. This is an upgrade to the existing system and will provide a fully integrated asset management solution that will deliver several benefits including a digitalised contactless workshop. The Service is working towards the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency earned recognition scheme which is a new way to evidence that our fleet meets driver and vehicle standards. The new asset management system will ensure the Council has the vehicle maintenance and digital management systems in place to meet the requirements of this scheme. 6.2 Roads & Transportation 6.2.1 Roads Capital Investment Programme 6.2.2 The Roads Capital Investment Programme for 2024/25 has recently commenced. This programme consists of 45 carriageway resurfacing schemes and 23 footway resurfacing schemes. The programme will also include large carriageway patching and surface dressing schemes. A number of strategic schemes will be undertaken in this programme, including Mill Street, Broomlands Street, Old Sneddon Street and the A726 Spectacles roundabout. All schemes will be tested for coal tar prior to excavation. Surface dressing will be carried out on rural roads around Lochwinnoch and Howwood. 6.2.3 The Drainage Improvements Programme for 2024/25 will commence in summer. Works will predominantly focus on drainage issues on Burnbrae Road in Linwood 6.2.4 Members will be aware that officers presented a report to the Leadership Board on 1 May 2024 which outlined the work undertaken as part of the review of Renfrewshire’s Public Transport network. Within that report it was highlighted that SPT have been
Page 5
developing a Regional Bus Strategy and that strategy was out for consultation until 13 May 2024. 6.2.5 The Regional Strategy presents potential future operating models for the way forward for bus services across the region as outlined below: • Business As Usual/Voluntary Partnerships - Delivered through a voluntary partnership arrangement which seeks to strengthen current relationship and delivery of joint outcomes. At the current time the Council is already a member of the Glasgow City Region Bus Partnership which is comprised of the eight local authorities, SPT and bus operators in the area. • Bus Service Improvement Partnerships - This is a new form of statutory agreement that would ensure agreements between operators and a transport authority were binding and can include sanctions if commitments are not adhered to • Local Services Franchising - Franchising moves competition to an operating contract level rather than on road competition between operators. This provides a greater degree of control over bus service specifications and fares to local transport authorities. The authorities would then procure contracts to deliver the levels of service it requires necessary to meet the needs of communities and • Municipal Bus Company - As a result of the changes from the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 local transport authorities can create municipally owned bus companies to compete for contracts and operate registered bus services. The municipal operator would likely be an arms-length organisation wholly owned by the authority but providing separation when competing for contracts. 6.2.6 Officers have submitted a response to the consultation, which is attached as Appendix 1 to this report and have advised SPT that the response is subject to the approval of the Infrastructure, Land & Environment Policy Board meeting of 29 May 2024. 6.3 Active Travel & Infrastructure Improvement Update 6.3.1 The new Active Travel route from Barnsford Road to Inchinnan Drive is due for completion in early June 2024. 6.3.2 Renfrewshire Council have been successful in our applications for a new active travel route around Inchinnan Business Park and AIMDS South Gallowhill link to existing Paisley to Renfrew active travel route utilising the Renfrew Road underpass. The Inchinnan Business Park route will connect with the active travel route on Barnsford Road to Inchinnan Drive and the existing active travel route at Inchinnan Road to improve links around Glasgow Airport. 6.3.3 The construction phase for a bus turning circle at Linburn Road in Erskine has started which will provide a retaining wall, bus turning loop and footway provision. Public utility diversionary works has been completed. SPT Capital funding announced for 2024/25 has allocated £165,000 for this category 1 project seen as an operationally essential. 6.3.4 Works to complete the Paisley to Renfrew active travel route including upgraded shared footways and carriageway improvements at Wright Street and pedestrian crossings at Gilmour Street and Niddry Street to Toucan crossings are underway and are expected to complete in early July 2024. The accessible ramp connecting Turner
Page 6
Drive and Wright Street is being constructed by Ambassador Homes as part of their development consent. 6.3.5 Work in association with Sustrans to improve accessibility to the National Cycle Route Network 7 has seen the path upgraded through Jenny’s Well Nature Reserve and opening of the footbridge connecting Hawkhead Road Housing Development at Bankhead Avenue. 6.3.6 Traffic Signal improvements have been installed on Glasgow Road/Penilee Road Paisley, High Street/Collier Street Johnstone, and High Street/Millburn Drive Renfrew as part of programme of upgrades to provide more energy efficient infrastructure. 6.4 Street lighting Capital Investment Programme 6.4.1 The Street Lighting Capital Investment Programme for 2024/25 has recently commenced. A new lighting installation for Bridge of Weir Road, Linwood has started on site and will replace the ageing network with new cabling in ducts, a new control panel and 48 new columns and lanterns. 6.4.2 Works are due to commence on a contract to replace 144 number cut down columns across our lighting network and install 33 new cable loops to areas where we have dark sections due to cable faults. This contract will address the streetlighting backlog and should complete before the darker nights return in Autumn. 6.4.3 Designs are being finalised for new streetlighting installations on Easwald Bank, Kilbarchan and High Street, Lochwinnoch. These will commence on site in the coming months and will replace the ageing networks at these 2 locations with completely new installations comprising of new cabling in ducts, new control panels and new columns and lanterns. These projects form part of our aims to modernise our streetlighting asset. 7. Neighbourhood Services 7.1 Play Parks / Parks 7.1.1 The 2023/24 programme of planned play area refurbishment / renewal works has been completed at Urquhart Crescent, Renfrew; Anne Avenue, Renfrew; Netherhill Road, Paisley; Tannahill Crescent, Johnstone; Miller Street, Johnstone and installation is currently ongoing at Victory Gardens, Renfrew. 7.1.2 Planning is underway for consultation and procurement of the 2024/25 programme which will include complete play area renewals at Elm & Maple, Johnstone (Topspot); Brodie Park, Paisley; Barshaw Park, Paisley (Original Laura’s Playpark Area) and also an upgrade at the Park Mains BMX area to create an improved wheeled sports area. 7.1.3 Completion of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) funded project, to upgrade the tennis courts at 3 locations in Renfrewshire, was delayed due to the prolonged poor weather conditions. However, works have neared completion across the three sites: Brodie Park, Paisley, Robertson Park, Renfrew and Park Road, Johnstone Tennis courts. Our launch of the newly refurbished courts will be Thursday 20th June, in partnership with the LTA, One Ren and Renfrewshire Council. Tennis courts will be bookable via the Club Spark App and tennis coaching will be available in the coming months.
Page 7
7.3 Clyde Muirshiel 7.3.1 Summer opening hours are in operation at both Castle Semple and Muirshiel Country Parks. The walks and trails in each Country Park are accessible all day, every day. 7.3.2 The most popular season for school visits is well underway and there is a very busy programme of outdoor activity provision and environmental learning in progress. 7.3.3 Encouraging responsible access awareness, biological recording, a community walks programme, work with conservation volunteers and seasonal site maintenance activities continue. 7.4 Monuments, Statues & Memorials 7.4.1 The Johnstone War Memorial in Houston Square underwent specialised cleaning to restore it to its former condition. Neighbourhood Services commissioned condition surveys to identify future works required on monuments. This report has now been completed and encompassed all 14 monuments, including Paisley Cenotaph. Neighbourhood Services colleagues are reviewing the condition surveys and creating action plans for future works based on this report. 7.5 Cemeteries 7.5.1 Memorial pillars are now installed in Hawkhead Infant Memorial Garden and in Lochwinnoch Woodland Burial Site. This is an optional service for families who wish to commemorate a loved one with an engraved plaque. 7.5.2 Tree survey works have been completed in Hawkhead cemetery; this has identified trees that require works to ensure safety within the cemetery. A report is being compiled with an action plan for tree work remedials, once compiled a further update will be provided. We anticipate that some trees may require attention by an Arbor team that will mean restricting access to the Cemetery, and this may be before the next ILE Board, if so, ward members will be update, further updates will follow. 7.6 Grass Cutting Schedule 7.6.1 Grass cutting schedule is underway and teams continue to work within the 14-day cutting program. So far, the inclement weather experienced in April has proven challenging for ensuring all grass panels are cut on time and to the expected standard. However, our neighbourhood services team have worked extensively to ensure standards are maintained and we have been able to remain on track within the 14-day schedule. The season thus far is progressing well, and our teams are working proactively to ensure all expected standards are met. 7.6.2 We have also been trialling a new strimming procedure which has proactively managed grass panels reducing the need for pesticides to be used on panel edges, this is working well, and further updates will be provided. 8. #YouDecide 8.1.1 Twenty nine #YD Projects are now complete. Most recently play area refurbishments at Glebe Street Renfrew and Jennyswell, Paisley was completed along with outdoor gyms at Old Road Park, Elderslie and Churchill Drive, Bishopton. Play area improvements at South Candren Village Green and Station Road, Langbank are scheduled to start in June 2024. Speed sign installations at Main Road, Elderslie and Bridge of Weir Road, Brookfield are also now complete.
Page 8
8.1.2 Lighting works are currently ongoing at Howwood Park, Inchinnan Park, Ellerslie Street Park, Johnstone, Spateston Park, Johnstone, Kintyre Park, Linwood, Barshaw Park and the entrance to Ferguslie Gardens, Paisley. All other #YD lighting projects will follow. All other #YD lighting projects will be starting June onwards. 8.1.3 Contracts have been awarded for the construction of a Wheeled Sports Areas at Kintyre Park Linwood and Moss Road Park, Bridge of Weir and early designs have been submitted. Consultation with potential users taking place May 2024. Construction is anticipated to start late June 2024 in Linwood and September 2024 in Bridge of Weir. 8.1.4 Visualisation concepts drawings are complete for Barrangary and Chestnut roundabouts, Bishopton. A consultation survey will take place between 22 May and 19 June to decide which idea is favoured amongst locals. Visualisations for Easwald Bank roundabout, Kilbarchan and both Renfrew Road/Arkleston Road and Glasgow Road/Kings Inch Road roundabouts, Renfrew should be ready by the end of June and consultation on these will proceed thereafter. 8.1.5 Speed sign installations at Main Road Elderslie and Bridge of Weir Road Brookfield have been instructed and will be complete by the end of May. 8.1.6 Following discussions with Renfrew Community Council, seating improvements in the Town Centre have been agreed. Work to install seating on 24 of the granite blocks around Renfrew Town Centre has been instructed. We anticipate work to start here June 2024. 8.1.7 Work to improve paths and signage in Gleniffer country park is ongoing as is information and interpretation boards for the villages of Inchinnan and Kilbarchan. These projects should be complete by early 2025. 9. Waste Services 9.1 Waste Collection Method 9.1.1 The Waste Service will start Phase 1 of decoupling the grey residual bin from recycling bins for all areas with a Saturday collection. The service will move to collecting all the same colour of recycling bins on the same day (Saturday) and decouple the grey bin collection by moving to a separate day (Monday). 9.1.2 Phase 1 will be rolled out in Summer 2024 at the following areas: Ward 4 Paisley North West 2734 properties Ward 6 Paisley South East 28 properties Ward 7 Paisley South West 5732 properties Ward 8 Johnstone South and Elderslie 1861 properties Ward 9 Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood & Lochwinnoch 36 properties 9.1.3 A communications plan is being developed and all households within the area will be contacted in advance. Residents will receive a letter and new collection calendar explaining the changes and to confirm which colour of bins to present on collection day. Ward Elected Members for the trial areas will be informed and provided with further detail in advance of communications being sent to households.
Page 9
Implications of the Report 1. Financial – Any financial elements referenced in this report will be progressed through the Council’s financial & budget planning process. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None. 3. Community/Council Planning – The report details a range of activities which reflect local community and council planning themes. 4. Legal – None 5. Property/Assets – None 6. Information Technology –None 7. Equality & Human Rights - The recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety – None 9. Procurement – None 10. Risk – None 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. COSLA Policy Position – None 13. Climate Change – there are a range of actions and activities throughout the Service Update Report which support the Council’s Plan for Net Zero. __________________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers: None Author: Gordon McNeil, Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure
Page 10
Appendix 1 – Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy, Renfrewshire Council Response 0. Are you happy to proceed with the survey? Please select one X Yes No ABOUT YOU These first few questions are to understand a little bit more about you / your organisation. 1. Are you completing this questionnaire as an individual or on behalf of an organisation? Please select one I am responding as an individual X I am responding on behalf of an organisation 2. What is the name of the organisation that you are responding on behalf of?
Page 11
Please enter your organisation’s name below 3. Which of the following best describes your organisation? Please select one Bus operator X Local authority Other organisation 4. In which local authority area does your organisation primarily operate? Please select all that apply Argyll and Bute East Ayrshire East Dunbartonshire East Renfrewshire Glasgow City Inverclyde North Ayrshire North Lanarkshire X Renfrewshire South Ayrshire South Lanarkshire West Dunbartonshire 5. Please provide your name, job title, and email address below. Note, this information is being requested for the purposes of ensuring the authenticity of responses. A list of all organisations that respond to the consultation will also be included in reporting, but will not be linked to responses. Your details will not be used for any other purpose. Please enter your name and email address below. Name: Gerard Hannah Job title: Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads Email: gerard.hannah@renfrewshire.gov.uk Renfrewshire Council
Page 12
FEEDBACK ON RECOMMENDATIONS Over the last nine months, SPT has been considering a number of ways, or options, that the future bus network could be delivered. More detail on these options can be found within the S trathclyde Regional Bus Strategy Consultation document. SPT has appraised each option to understand how well each one could help with the delivery of a better bus network, based on their anticipated benefits, costs and any implementation issues. After reviewing the evidence and appraisal findings, SPT has developed a set of recommendations to guide the development and implementation of the bus strategy. These next few questions are to understand whether you think these are the right recommendations and why.
Page 13
1.1.1.1 Business as Usual and Voluntary Partnerships SPT is proposing to rule out business as usual and voluntary partnerships for further consideration in its bus strategy. These options, and the reasons for ruling them out, are described in brief below. 6. To what extent do you support or oppose SPT’s recommendation to rule out ‘business as usual’ and ‘voluntary partnerships’ for further consideration in the bus strategy? Please select one for each option Rule out business as usual Rule out voluntary partnerships Strongly support X Somewhat support X Neither support nor oppose Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don’t know Business as usual describes the existing bus network. Operators are free to run any service, set their own fares and choose their own vehicles, subject to meeting safety and operating standards and applicable government policies such as Low Emission Zones. Evidence suggests that with this option, it is highly unlikely that the cycle of decline will be broken. SPT also anticipate that continuing with business as usual is unacceptable to most stakeholders and communities. Voluntary partnerships are when bus operators and public sector partners come together to improve the bus network through agreeing, on a voluntary basis, to provide or deliver improvements to services and infrastructure or other local policies to support bus services. The option appraisal process found no evidence in the region to suggest that voluntary partnerships are likely to break the cycle of bus decline.
Page 14
1.1.1.2 Local services franchising and Bus Service Improvement Partnerships SPT is recommending that they begin work on local services franchising, in line with the requirements of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019. SPT is also recommending that they work with partners to develop Bus Service Improvement Partnerships while franchising is developed. 7. To what extent do you support or oppose SPT’s recommendation to take forward local services franchising and BSIPs? Please select one for each option Take forward Local services franchising Take forward BSIPs Strongly support X X Somewhat support Neither support nor oppose Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don’t know Local services franchising is a system that allows a Local Transport Authority to plan the bus network and to award exclusive rights to an operator to run certain bus services for a set period of time. Under this franchise framework, the Local Transport Authority then enters into franchise agreements with bus operators, generally awarded through competitive processes, to deliver the specified services and standards. SPT believes franchising offers the greatest certainty in delivering an improved bus network for the region in the long term. Bus Service Improvement Partnerships (BSIPs) are a statutory partnership between a Local Transport Authority (or authorities) and one or more bus operators. This model differs from a voluntary partnership in that there is a legal basis for the Plan and Scheme(s) and, therefore, elements of the Plan and Scheme(s) can be enforced. SPT believes BSIPs play an important role in delivering key improvements for the bus network, including bus priority measures to improve reliability, ahead of implementing local services franchising.
Page 15
1.1.1.3 Municipal bus company SPT is proposing to further investigate the opportunity offered by the creation of a small-scale municipal bus operation to target provision in areas where there is a lack of commercial services or as an operator of last resort. 8. To what extent do you support or oppose SPT’s recommendation to further investigate the opportunities offered by the creation of a small- scale municipal bus operation? Please select one X Strongly support Somewhat support Neither support nor oppose Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Don’t know A municipal bus company is an operator of bus services owned by a Local Transport Authority. A municipal bus company can be formed from the purchase of an existing bus or coach company or the creation of a new company. Municipal bus companies compete for the market in the same way as privately owned bus companies.
Page 16
9. If you wish, please use the box below to explain why you support or oppose any of SPT’s recommendations. Rule out business as usual Renfrewshire Council recently commissioned and completed a review of our Public Transport network which has identified broadly the same issues as highlighted by the work undertaken by SPT at a regional level. The issues identified in the Renfrewshire review are not exclusive to Renfrewshire and as such a regional approach to addressing these issues and providing solutions is going to be the only way to improve the public transport landscape. Our review highlighted that the public and elected representatives are not content to proceed with the current position and recognise that more fundamental change is required to deliver success in this area. As such Renfrewshire Council strongly supports the position to rule out business as usual as a progressive way forward to address the problems. Rule out voluntary partnerships Although Renfrewshire recognise that voluntary partnerships don’t offer the fundamental change required, they do have a place to play in terms of relationship building and improving collaboration.
Page 17
Take forward local services franchising The Renfrewshire review highlights franchising as likely to be the most effective method for delivering the significant change required to improve the current landscape. Renfrewshire Council fulls supports SPT’s aspirations for taking this workstream forward. Take forward BSIPs Renfrewshire Council strongly supports a collaborative approach to improving public transport arrangements for passengers and recognises this cannot be achieved by a single organisation on its own. BSIP’s would set out clear roles and responsibilities that would be accountable and ensure there was a spirit of continued cooperation to improve the offering for bus users across a number of areas. However, with the SPT capital programme being reduced to zero in 2024/25 this limits the capacity of local authorities to make improvements to infrastructure in their area which would be fundamental to the success of any BSIP. The Council supports taking forward BSIP’s but does appreciate that this alone is not going to provide all of the solutions required.
Page 18
Further investigate municipal bus operations The review conducted by Renfrewshire Council has identified that whilst their may be merit in large scale municipalisation, the costs for implementation of such an approach at the current time make it cost prohibitive. There is however merit in smaller scale municipalisation to look at addressing gaps in the bus network particularly in more rural locations to ensure there is connectivity with key facilities such as hospitals or providing access to employment opportunities.
Page 19
10. Have you read any of the impact assessments that accompany the bus strategy consultation document? X Yes No Don’t know 11. If you would like to make any comments on the impact assessments, please leave these below. No
Page 20
FINAL COMMENTS 12. Finally, if you have any further comments related to the consultation on the bus strategy recommendations, please enter them here. That’s all of our questions. Thank you so much for your time. Please submit this response through the online questionnaire or email to RTS@spt.co.uk Renfrewshire Council will continue to work with SPT to explore opportunities to improve the public transport landscape for bus users across the region. We welcome the opportunity to input into this consultation and will be fully engaged in future workstreams to ensure we can develop options which can benefit residents across the region.