Issue - meetings

During 2025/26 financial year the council will spend over £1.59m supporting subsidised bus services from a combination of council derived revenue budget and external grants.  By 2027/28 the cost is forecast to exceed £2.0m. Continuing to fund the subsidised network in its current form is not sustainable.

This report presents recommended changes to the network informed by a performance review including public consultation.  The recommendation has been developed in partnership with morebus (main enhanced bus partnership operator).

Whilst undertaking the review the council has engaged with the Department for Transport (DfT) Bus Reform Team throughout to ensure that the recommended revised subsidised network is eligible to be funded from the recently announced £2,621,127 Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) 2026/27 revenue allocation. 

A report setting out the full planned investment of both the revenue and capital LABG allocations shall be presented to Cabinet in March 2026.