The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Have Your Say on Taxi Voucher Scheme in West Cheshire

Cheshire West and Chester Council are currently consulting with the public on the possible withdrawal of its Taxi Voucher Scheme.

The scheme provides taxi vouchers to those with a disability, who do not have access to a vehicle and have no drivers licence.  It is of particular value to those who find other forms of public transport difficult or impossible to access.

In Neston, people who currently make use of this vital transport lifeline are offered, in the consultation paperwork, the alternatives of using the Ellesmere Port and Neston Community Car Scheme and Plus Bus.

A local resident, Ray McHale, said: "The alternatives of the Plus Bus and Community Car Scheme are not free, and need to be pre-booked. Evidence from the public transport users group is that the Community Car Scheme, in particular, can be booked up far in advance."

Louise Gittins, Cheshire West and Chester Councillor for Little Neston and Burton said: "A number of residents attended mine and Cllr Williams' surgery on Saturday and were worried about the impact the withdrawal of taxi vouchers may have on them. Most were unaware this was happening.

"Because our bus service is poor, for example to and from Arrowe Park Hospital, the voucher system is essential to help residents with costs and is a real lifeline. I would urge everyone to take part in the consultation."

Cheshire West and Chester Council say that they could save £72,000 per annum with the withdrawal of the scheme, and have asked users and other interested members of the public, to join in the conversation by completing the consultation questionnaire on their website:

TAXI VOUCHER CONSULTATION

You have until November 14th 2014 to have your say.

You may also wish to make a comment below this article.

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Comments

John Cartlidge

At 18:14 on 22nd October 2014, John Cartlidge commented:

The term consultation is a stretch; I looked at the survey and there were around 6 questions, only two of which I was ‘qualified’ (in the author of the survey’s terms) to answer. The basic thrust is “we’re doing it so there”. The amount being saved seems infinitesimal compared to costs incurred elsewhere, and the under use of resources such as school premises during the three months of the year they are not being used when so many parents need support with child care or homework clubs.

The ‘Senior Officer Salaries’ section of Cheshire West ‘open data’ part of the website, listing those receiving in excess of £50,000 per annum is curiously inaccessible…but it is worth noting the Chief Executive was paid salary of £180,000 in the year Apr 2010 – Mar 2011 plus £37,440 contribution to his pension plus ‘RCU Allowance’ (whatever this is) of £1,239. A total of £218,679. Putting it another way, enough to fund the service for three years.

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a.pickton

At 08:15 on 23rd October 2014, a.pickton commented:

Well said John Cartlidge. My elderly and disabled mother uses these tokens and they are almost literally a lifeline at times. She could no more negotiate her way to a bus-stop and from there to a hospital appointment or social engagement than climb Everest. As the person in the feature above says, the community car scheme is often booked up in advance for the time or date a person may need transport. I often have to travel away from the area on business so cannot always take my mother where she needs to go. The taxi vouchers have helped her enormously. £72k does seem a tiny amount of savings against the overall budget. Personally I am sick of the high-handedness of this council. It is unacceptable for them to present what is clearly a decision already made, as a 'consultation.'

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