Speaking in the Assembly Chamber this afternoon, North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called on the Welsh Government to support the community transport sector and help them through the range of threats they currently face, highlighting the particular concerns of North Wales operators.
In his Individual Member’s Debate on Community Transport, Mr Isherwood stated that 140,000 individuals and 3,500 groups are registered to use community transport in Wales - with services always run for a social purpose and community benefit, but never for a profit - but said that the sector is facing an array of issues and that operators in North Wales have emphasised that proposed changes to how EU rules for regulating passenger transport services apply in Great Britain, threaten the continuation of community transport in the region.
He said:
“These vital services help to reduce loneliness and isolation, ensuring people can access hospitals, GP surgeries, social events, leisure facilities, places of employment, shops and more.
“However, despite the obvious positive contribution community transport makes in Wales, the sector currently faces a range of threats.”
He added: “In 2015 the European Commission told the UK Government to address how its directives on passenger transport operator licensing were interpreted into UK law. In consequence the UK Government is currently consulting on plans to change how EU rules for regulating passenger transport services apply in Great Britain.
“During my most recent visits to Community Transport operators in North Wales, they emphasised that most operators in Wales are small, unlike some giants in England, and that the proposals now threaten the continuation of community transport here.”
Mr Isherwood stressed that the responsibility for community transport is distributed across all levels of government and said “It is therefore vital that all levels of government together seek to find a solution to the current problems, seek to mitigate the short term effects on our communities, and look to develop a strong and sustainable long term future for community transport in Wales.”
He added: “At a devolved level, the Community Transport Association has identified three key issues – that funding settlements do not enable long-term planning; that their members are not remunerated cross departmentally for the work they do; and that one off capital funding may be necessary to support growth.
“The combination of annualised funding, and lack of certainty of funding amounts makes forward planning very difficult. It is therefore impossible to develop meaningful 3-5 year business plans. This is particularly problematical when organisations wish to make capital investments in either vehicles, or their organisational infrastructure.
“Community Transport operators are increasingly providing health and social care services, taking pressure off public sector bodies and allowing people to live independently for longer. However, few operators receive financial recognition for this, relying on volunteers to go the extra mile to ensure individuals have the support they need. Finding and retaining volunteers is already a challenge, especially as people are working later and often have additional responsibilities.
“Budgets are therefore needed which support cross-departmental working in order to develop innovative solutions that enable the sector to deliver the activities obviously required….and save money for the statutory sector.
“Operating community transport is more expensive than an average charitable enterprise, and despite fund raising, some operators will be unable to raise capital for future investment, compromising development of their services.”
Mr Isherwood added:
“Evidence has shown that Community Transport provides £3 value for every £1 spent on it.
“Community transport offers an invaluable service for those who face particular barriers to accessing transport for whatever reason. Whilst it is a very resilient sector, the individuals and organisations who work within it must be valued and supported.
“Despite the challenges, Community Transport Association Wales believes there is an opportunity for organisations and authorities in Wales to work together to ensure continued services for our communities. Let us justify their belief.”
Mr Isherwood’s motion was passed unopposed.