Bus Users Hold Up

BUS USERS FORUM HOLD UP

Stockton Liberal Democrats have been calling for a local Bus Users Forum for many years, and have tabled formal questions at Council meetings many times.

They were delighted when the first meeting was held in February this year and a steering group was set up to plan the way forward..

However nothing has been heard since, so yet another formal question has been tabled for next week's Council meeting.

Councillor Suzanne Fletcher said " the people of Stockton Borough have waited a long time for this, and are not going to be fobbed off with just one meeting to talk about having more meetings. It is quicker waiting for a bus!"

The formal question says:

In view of the response to the question asked at a Council meeting earlier this year about the establishment of a Bus Users Forum, and the subsequent inaugural meeting, I would like to ask

1. why has the steering group set up at the meeting on 25th February not had any information or meeting arranged ?

2. what progress has there been in the setting up of area Bus Users Forums as agreed at that meeting ?

3. what feedback has there been about the submission of the Connect Tees Valley Strategy in view of the following extract from the Cabinet Member's answer?

"Our partners have also indicated that they would wish to launch the Bus User Forum to coincide with the submission of the business case for Connect Tees Valley. I agree with this strategy as it gives the forum several advantages:

1. The Bus User Forum can assist to shape the detail of the schemes and have early input to this exciting project.

2. It gives the Bus User Forum some clear focus in its early days.

3. By having a strong initial focus and purpose the Bus User Forum will quickly have value to participants and increase its chances of being influential, successful and to have longevity.

I apologise for the delay but I am sure that approaching the forum in this way will be of great benefit to its success. The inaugural meeting has been set for 25th or 26th February 2008 and further details will be circulated shortly."