Agenda item

The following motion had been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 3.40, moved by Cllr Paul Weston, seconded by Cllr Katie Weston:

“This Council notes that:

•           The new government has pledged “the biggest overhaul to buses in a generation” to “put local communities in the driving seat” by supporting them to place buses under public control and announcing £1Billion for better buses,

•           The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has provided a model for placing buses under public control, stating -

"Greater Manchester is on course to complete the re-regulation of buses on time and on budget early in the New Year, becoming the first city-region outside London to put them fully back under public control after four decades of deregulation.

"Our policy aim throughout has been to create a low-fare, high-patronage system similar to the one that has brought higher growth and productivity to London. This will remain the mission of the Bee Network.

"On 5/1/25, we will proceed with our plan to introduce a new simpler, flatter fare structure based around a £2 single fare and, on 23/3/25, a contactless London-style payment system with a daily and weekly cap setting a maximum for what people pay when travelling on our buses and trams.

"Because of the decisions we have taken, and the progress we have made, Greater Manchester is in a different position to other areas across England when it comes to bus funding and bus fares. We are beginning to benefit from similar financial advantages as those long enjoyed by London.”

•           The Mayor of Liverpool City Region have also taken the decision to franchise local bus services to ensure they take back control of these vital public services that make the difference for people who have no other choices to travel to access education, healthcare and employment opportunities.

•           The Mayors of the West Midlands, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the North East are also in the process of preparing to make similar decisions.

•           The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority can exercise such powers under the Bus Services Act and by doing so would make a real difference to the residents of this Borough and others in the Tees Valley.

Therefore, we call on Stockton Council to write to The Mayor of the Tees Valley, Ben Houchen and the Tees Valley Combined Authority to –

•           Bring back under public control the disastrously deregulated bus system.

•           Reinstate a reliable and regular bus service to outlying areas such as, but not only, The Clarences and Stillington

•           Fund a maximum £2 bus fare across the Tees Valley”

Following debate and in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 3.65, it was requested that a recorded vote be taken, which was supported by at least a quarter of the Members present.

Members in favour of the motion:-

Cllr Stefan Barnes, Cllr Jim Beall, Cllr Pauline Beall, Cllr Michelle Bendelow, Cllr Clare Besford, Cllr Marc Besford, Cllr Carol Clark, Cllr Nigel Cooke, Cllr Robert Cook, Cllr Ian Dalgarno, Cllr Richard Eglington, Cllr Lisa Evans, Cllr Kevin Faulks, Cllr Nathan Gale, Cllr Ray Godwin, Cllr Barbara Inman, Cllr Eileen Johnson, Cllr Mrs Ann McCoy, Cllr Mick Moore, Cllr Ross Patterson, Cllr Paul Rowling, Cllr Norma Stephenson OBE, Cllr Mick Stoker, Cllr Marilyn Surtees, Cllr Sylvia Walmsley, Cllr Katie Weston, Cllr Paul Weston and Cllr Barry Woodhouse.

Members against the motion:-

Cllr Diane Clarke OBE, Cllr John Coulson, Cllr Jason French, Cllr John Gardner, Cllr Lynn Hall, Cllr Elsi Hampton, Cllr Stefan Houghton, Cllr Niall Innes, Cllr Mohammed Mazi, Cllr Jack Miller, Cllr Sufi Mubeen, Cllr David Reynard, Cllr Stephen Richardson, Cllr Tony Riordan, Cllr Andrew Sherris, Cllr Hugo Stratton, Cllr Ted Strike, Cllr Emily Tate, Cllr Laura Tunney, Cllr Hilary Vickers, Cllr Marcus Vickers, Cllr Alan Watson and Cllr Sally Ann Watson.

28 for the motion

23 against the motion

The motion was carried and it was:-

RESOLVED

This Council notes that:

•           The new government has pledged “the biggest overhaul to buses in a generation” to “put local communities in the driving seat” by supporting them to place buses under public control and announcing £1 Billion for better buses,

•           The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has provided a model for placing buses under public control, stating -

"Greater Manchester is on course to complete the re-regulation of buses on time and on budget early in the New Year, becoming the first city-region outside London to put them fully back under public control after four decades of deregulation.

"Our policy aim throughout has been to create a low-fare, high-patronage system similar to the one that has brought higher growth and productivity to London. This will remain the mission of the Bee Network.

"On 5/1/25, we will proceed with our plan to introduce a new simpler, flatter fare structure based around a £2 single fare and, on 23/3/25, a contactless London-style payment system with a daily and weekly cap setting a maximum for what people pay when travelling on our buses and trams.

"Because of the decisions we have taken, and the progress we have made, Greater Manchester is in a different position to other areas across England when it comes to bus funding and bus fares. We are beginning to benefit from similar financial advantages as those long enjoyed by London.”

•           The Mayor of Liverpool City Region have also taken the decision to franchise local bus services to ensure they take back control of these vital public services that make the difference for people who have no other choices to travel to access education, healthcare and employment opportunities.

•           The Mayors of the West Midlands, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the North East are also in the process of preparing to make similar decisions.

•           The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority can exercise such powers under the Bus Services Act and by doing so would make a real difference to the residents of this Borough and others in the Tees Valley.

Therefore, we call on Stockton Council to write to The Mayor of the Tees Valley, Ben Houchen and the Tees Valley Combined Authority to –

•           Bring back under public control the disastrously deregulated bus system.

•           Reinstate a reliable and regular bus service to outlying areas such as, but not only, The Clarences and Stillington

•           Fund a maximum £2 bus fare across the Tees Valley