Holmes welcomes first steps forward on bus fares robbery

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan wrote to Paul Holmes today accepting that Chesterfield HAD lost out badly under the Government's National Concessionary Bus Fares Scheme and offering to meet Paul to discuss this.

Paul said:

"This is a welcome initial step after the Government refused persistently, for over a year, to accept that there was a problem.

"They will now CONSULT on a proposal that would give Chesterfield Borough Council £1.84 million extra next year (2010-11) which would fill next year's funding gap.

"There are two big notes of caution however.

"Firstly this is a consultation and the Minister warns in his letter to me that the final decision "may differ to the one proposed in the consultation paper.

Secondly, there is no mention of repaying the £3.2 million Chesterfield Borough Council had to take from reserves and cut from its budget (11% per year) from 2007 -2009.

"This is a first sign of welcome progress after a long fight for justice for Chesterfield residents. But the fight is far from over yet.

"I have written to the Minister to arrange a meeting ASAP.