Funding pledge for bus scheme must be honoured
Wealden District Council has welcomed the new National Concessionary Fare Scheme, but is calling on the Government to honour its pledge to fully fund the scheme from Central Taxation.
“Yet again the council tax payer is having to pick up the bill for this shortfall in funding,” said Cllr Bob Standley, Wealden Portfolio holder for Finance and Assets.
Cllr Standley recently held a Whitehall meeting with the Minister of State for Transport, Rosie Winterton, to seek an assurance that the scheme will be fully funded by her department. Wealden is continuing to press the Department of Transport for information on how the central grant was allocated.
The National Concessionary Fares Scheme entitles pass holders to free off-peak travel on local bus services throughout England. But to pay for the extension in service in 2008-09, Wealden District Council has had to allocate an extra £395,000 over the amount in its original 2007-8 budget for concessionary fares.
This is equivalent to almost all of the increase in Wealden’s share of the council tax bills that have been arriving on the doormats of local residents.
“If, as the Government maintains, enough money is going into the scheme then some Councils must be doing very well,” said Cllr Standley, “We will continue to push for a fairer deal for Wealden taxpayers.”
The vast majority of the 21,000 concessionary fares customers in Wealden, have already received their National pass card. Any Sussex Countycard holders who have yet to receive one can continue to use their expired card until they receive their National pass.
The National Concessionary Fares Scheme is open to residents aged 60 years and over, or who have a disability. Full details on those entitled to claim, and the application process, can be found on the Wealden website, or by telephoning 01323 443557.
