The following Notices of Motion have been received:-
(i) Conductors on Trams
This Council Notes:
(a) High levels of fare evasion on the Metrolink network – reported to this Council as an estimate that 1 in 8 journeys are not paid for.
(b) Anti-social behaviour occurring on the tram network, contributing to some member of the local community feeling unsafe using Metrolink, particularly in the evenings.
Council recognises that other tram networks in the UK, such as those in Nottingham and in Wolverhampton-Birmingham, operate with on-board conductors, and that the merits of having these staff include:
(a) Increased revenue collection as conductors are able to check tickets and passes, and collect outstanding fares from passengers on-board the tram
(b) Improved passenger safety as the conductor represents a visible on-board presence to deter criminal and anti-social behaviour and can ensure that passengers are able to board or alight safely
(c) Better customer service as the conductor can respond in person to passenger queries and to requests for assistance, such as aiding passengers with disabilities or push-chairs
Council notes that these are the same reasons that the RMT trades union cites in seeking the retention of guards on trains in its ongoing dispute with Northern Rail.
Given the reasons outlined above, and in light of the estimate that £9 million in revenue is lost across the Metrolink network in fare evasion, Council believes that there is merit in introducing conductors on the Bury – Manchester line for an evaluation to be conducted after a trial period of 12 months of its impact, with a view to making conductors permanent and across the network should the results prove favourable.
Council therefore resolves:
To ask the Chief Executive to write to the Chief Executives of Transport for Greater Manchester and Metrolink outlining its position and requesting the introduction of conductors on the Bury Manchester line as a pilot.
In the names of: Councillors M Powell, T Pickstone, C Tegolo and S Wright
(ii) Support for Bury FC
This council calls for our two MPs to ask the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee to revisit their reports from 2011/13/16 regarding football governance, ownership, finance and the lack of grassroots football facilities in England.
In the names of Councillors J Black, S Briggs, R Cathcart, A Cummings, C Cummins, R Gold, J Grimshaw, M Hayes, S Haroon, T Holt, D Jones, K Leach, G McGill, C Morris, B Mortenson, E O’Brien, A Quinn, T Rafiq, R Shori, A Simpson, L Smith, S Smith, Sarah Southworth, Susan Southworth, T Tariq, K Thomas, S Walmsley, C Walsh and M Whitby.
(iii) Support for Taxi Drivers
THIS COUNCIL acknowledges:
The vital contribution that Bury’s taxi drivers make to providing safe and accessible transport, including for many of the Borough’s elderly, disabled and younger residents.
That as the Licensing Authority Bury MBC, must do all it can to support the Borough’s hard working taxi drivers and play it’s part in ensuring the trade provides a sustainable income for local drivers and their families.
THIS COUNCIL therefore resolves:
1: To instruct the Chief Executive to ensure plans are in place to open an MOT station for taxi’s within Bury by the end of this year. Bury drivers have to travel to a single MOT station in Bolton for their vehicles and this monopoly has eliminated all market competition and created conditions for the unfair treatment of drivers.
2: That the Chief Executive carry out a review of the treatment of taxi drivers at the Bolton MOT station and meet with representatives of the trade within Bury to discuss these issues. That a joint plan be produced by the 31st October 2019 to ensure the concerns of local taxi drivers are taken seriously and acted upon.
3: To end the “them and us “ culture that currently exists between Bury MBC and local taxi drivers by improving communication and informing taxi drivers directly of any increase in fees or other issue that will impact upon their livelihoods.
4: To instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Mayor of Greater Manchester informing him that this Council cannot agree with the current Clean Air Zone proposals and their disproportionate impact upon taxi drivers. To request the Mayor re-draft the current plan allowing GM Authorities to achieve clean air objectives without causing unnecessary damage to the livelihoods of taxi drivers. It must be made clear that Bury MBC will veto any Clean Air zone proposals put forward by GM that impose a financial penalty upon Bury’s taxi drivers for simply carrying out their lawful business following the example of London, where taxis are exempted from the UltraLow Emission Zone.
5: The Chief Executive report to this Council at the Meeting to be held on the 27th November 2019 outlining a scheme of financial support for Bury taxi drivers. This would allow drivers to apply for funding to cover the installation of CCTV cameras in their vehicles and to support those drivers who require financial assistance to convert older vehicles to meet clean air objectives. Council further instructs the Chief Executive to carry out a review the current fee structure and assess the positive impact upon local taxi drivers and their families of a 20% reduction in all fees which would also support the trade locally.
6: The Chief Executive review the current process within Bury MBC for the revocation of licenses and inform Council on the 27th November 2019 together with members of the Licensing Committee of the criteria that must be taken into consideration when such applications are heard. Council is concerned as to the numbers of licenses revoked regarding the state of vehicles and the impact this is having on local families with the cessation of a taxi driver’s livelihood.
In the names of Councillors R Caserta, P Cropper, J Daly, I Gartside, D Gunther, J Harris, S Hurst, K Hussain, N Jones, G Keeley, O Kersh, S Nuttall, I Schofield, D Silbiger, R Walker, and Y Wright