Equality Assessment saves Powys buses

Environment
NewsSeptember 17th, 2013

A Bevan Foundation report on the equality impact of withdrawing 12 bus services in Powys has contributed to Powys County Council’s decision not to proceed with the cuts in services.

The assessment, included at Appendix 5 of the report considered by Powys’s Cabinet on 17th September, highlighted the serious possible impact on older people, disabled people and young people, saying that:

The effect of the reduction of subsidy to the bus services is likely to be an significant increase in inequality between [groups of people with protected characteristics]  and the rest of the population of Powys. This is likely to be associated with a reduction in well-being amongst affected groups of people and an increase in demand for public services unless mitigating action is taken.

Powys cabinet member for transport Barry Thomas told BBC Wales news that:

“Publicly supported transport provision across the county must be fair and equitable even if that service is provided with vastly reduced resources. We have considered a number of options to meet budget reductions and concluded that although capable of delivering the necessary savings the impact on service delivery is not equitable and impacts rural communities.

Powys County Council commissioned the Bevan Foundation to undertake the assessment as part of its public sector equality duties under the Equality Act 2010.

Bevan Foundation Director, Victoria Winckler, said:

Our report showed that the cuts to bus services would damage the independence and mobility of many people who already experience inequality – we are delighted that it has played a part in Powys’s decision not to go ahead.

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