Scottish Government

Annex 5. Functions

Q9: Model 1 - What current local authority functions could be appropriate for an RTP to exercise concurrently with its constituent local authorities (in your region)?

Q10: Model 2 - What current local authority transport functions could be appropriate for delivery at regional level by an RTP (in your region)?

Q11: Model 3 - Do you agree that this model should be adopted by a west of Scotland RTP in order to ensure the continuity of the public transport services provided by SPT?

Q12: What powers currently held by local authorities in the SPT Area would it make sense to deliver alongside SPT's existing public transport powers in a new west of Scotland RTP?

Q13: Which of these 3 models would you like to see your region adopt?

Q14: Do you envisage that the RTP in your region will gain further functions as it develops? If so, which ones?

Q9. Model 1 - what current local authority functions could be appropriate for an RTP to exercise concurrently with its constituent local authorities (in your region)?

Question 9 was answered by 27% of respondents reflecting the general decrease in responses to the function questions. When analysing the responses in terms of 'number of functions suggested' it is important to recognise that respondents commented in varying degrees of detail and specificity.

Figure 5.1

Q10. Model 2 - what current local authority transport functions could be appropriate for delivery at regional level by an RTP (in your region)?

23% of respondents commented on what current local authority transport functions could be appropriate for delivery at regional level by RTPs. The following summary reflects the recurring themes:

Figure 5.2

Q11. Model 3 - do you agree that this model should be adopted by a west of Scotland RTP in order to ensure the continuity of the public transport services provided by SPT?

Only 18% of respondent answered question 11 due to its specific focus on the west of Scotland and its relevance to SPT. The analysis has focused on the opinions of the local authorities in the west and south west RTP and SPT as they would be most significantly affected by any changes.

Figure 5.3

All Respondents

Of the respondents that commented, including SPT, there was unanimous agreement that model 3 should be adopted by the west and south west RTP in order to ensure the continuity of the public transport services provided by SPT. These respondents frequently commented on Dumfries & Galloway's role in the RTP and suggested they should retain their own public transport functions. Respondents made varied comments about how the transfer of functions would apply. For example, respondents made comments such as:

• Model 3 would provide an easy transfer of operational functions.
• The RTP should make use of best practices and democratic procedures of SPT.
• Build upon the experience of SPT.

Local authorities' responses

All local authorities that responded from the west and south west RTP agreed that model 3 should be adopted (83%, 10, see figure 5.4). Two local authorities from the west and south west RTP did not comment and these were Glasgow City Council and Argyll & Bute Council. Glasgow City Council wished to reserve its position until there is more clarity on matters such as external members and the allocation of votes. Argyll & Bute Council did not state which model they wished to adopt but commented that the within Argyll & Bute they should retain management control of public transport in rural areas.

Figure 5.4

Q12. What powers currently held by local authorities in the SPT area would it make sense to deliver alongside SPT's existing public transport powers in a new west of Scotland RTP?

23% of respondents answered question 12. The following summary reflects the most common responses:

Figure 5.5

Q13. Which of these 3 models would you like to see your region adopt?

33% of respondents commented on which model they would like to see their region adopt. The analysis has focused on the responses of the local authorities to highlight their views on which model they would like to see their region adopt. The summarised responses from this section are:

All Respondents

Three respondents suggested two models in their response and this has therefore affected the total number of responses. Shetland and West Lothian are shown as 'no comment' responses in the charts as they did not make a model choice. Respondents were fairly evenly spilt between models 1 and 3 with little support of model 2, (see pie chart, figure 5.6). Of those who responded 48% (28) chose model 1, 44% (26) chose model 3 and 8% (5) chose model 2.

Figure 5.6

Model 1:
A large majority of respondents that commented on the Central & Tay RTP, Highlands & Islands RTP, north east RTP, south east RTP agreed that model 1 should be adopted. A majority of these respondents also agreed that functions could be transferred over time.

Model 2:
There were five proposals for model 2. Two of the respondents were commenting on the north east and Scotland wide. Perth & Kinross Council opted for a model in the range of 1 to 2. The other two respondents suggested models 2 & 3 varying throughout the RTPs in Scotland.

Model 3:
One respondent suggested model 3 for the region. All the other respondents who chose model 3 were discussing the west and south west RTP or Scotland wide. It was frequently suggested that this was the best model for the west and south west RTP due to the transfer from SPT.

Local Authorities

The table (figure 5.7) reflects the views of the local authorities that commented on their preferred model in their region. Local authorities that commented in the west and south west chose model 3. Local authorities that commented in the south east RTP, north east RTP, Central & Tay RTP and Highlands & Islands RTP chose model 1, except Perth & Kinross which opted for a model in the range of 1 to 2. Shetland Council and West Lothian Council did not make a model choice. West Lothian suggested model 1 if a there was a committee structure and no model if on a board structure. Shetland commented that it is opposed to the creation of statutory regional partnerships and therefore chose no model option. The table outlines the local authorities' preference.

Figure 5.7

Q14. Do you envisage that the RTP in your region will gain further functions as it develops? If so, which ones?

30% responded to whether they envisaged the RTP in their region gaining further functions as it develops. Only a few respondents commented on specific functions they wished to see the RTPs gain.

Figure 5.8

As the pie chart (see figure 5.8) demonstrates, there was widespread agreement (94%, 45) that RTPs will gain further functions as they develop from those who responded.

The table (see figure 5.9) highlights that all but one of the local authorities that responded agreed that the RTPs should gain further functions as they develop.

Figure 5.9

When asked which functions respondents envisaged the RTPs would gain, they suggested the following:

• There were recurrent comments regarding the RTPs developing over time and being assessed as the RTPs progress.
• Occasionally, it was suggested that limited functions should be transferred as the RTPs develop.
• There was infrequent mention of all functions being transferred over the next few years, as this would be important for integrating transport.
• Occasionally, it was suggested strategic and trunk roads should be transferred to the RTPs. However, there was also an occasional view that they should not be transferred.
• A number of respondents commented that it was important to transfer additional functions in order to create consistency across RTP boundaries.