At the Lancashire County Council meeting on 11th February, the Labour administration attempted to force through its plan to stop all subsidies and decimate bus services in Lancashire. Fierce opposition from the Conservatives and the other smaller parties thwarted Labour's plans and eventually succeeded in securing a more sensible solution that took due account of the financial challenge facing the Council.
The compromise included the setting up of an all-party working group and the allocation of £2m of funding for bus subsidies. The working group was charged with reviewing the existing subsidised bus services and devising proposals to reduce costs yet lessen as far as possible the impact on what are vital services for Lancashire's rural and village communities. A final set of recommendations will be submitted to the cabinet member for his approval.
County Councillor David Westley, said; “I welcome the involvement of the cross party Working Group and am pleased to report it is developing sensible proposals on how to get the most of the available funding. The proposals will shortly be submitted to the cabinet member for approval and can then be made public."
Cllr Westley, went on to say; "I really do feel that the Working Group has achieved more in a week than the Labour administration achieved in last 2 years. Had Labour set up this all-party group say 6 months ago they could have avoided causing a great deal of concern and distress to so many across Lancashire who depend on a bus."