Local Transport Act 2008

32 Exempt continuation proposals

(1) After section 131A of the TA 2000 insert—

“131B Meaning of “exempt continuation proposal”

(1) For the purposes of this Part a proposal that a quality contracts scheme should continue in operation is an “exempt continuation proposal” if—

(a) any one or more of Conditions 1 to 3 are met and Conditions A and B are met, or

(b) the circumstances are as prescribed in regulations made by the appropriate national authority.

(2) Condition 1 is that it is not proposed that the area to which the continuation scheme relates is to be greater than the area to which the existing scheme relates.

(3) Condition 2 is that it is proposed that the area to which the continuation scheme relates is to be greater than the area to which the existing scheme relates, but—

(a) the additional area proposed to be included falls wholly within the area or combined area of the authority or authorities proposing the continuation of the scheme, and

(b) it is not proposed that under the continuation scheme any descriptions of local services are to be provided under quality contracts in addition to the descriptions of local services so provided under the existing scheme.

(4) Condition 3 is that during the period while the existing scheme has been in force—

(a) there has been a change in the area of the authority, or of any of the authorities, that last made or continued the scheme, or

(b) a different authority has become the local transport authority for some or all of the area to which the scheme relates,

but it is not proposed that under the continuation scheme any descriptions of local services are to be provided under quality contracts in addition to the descriptions of local services so provided under the existing scheme.

(5) Condition A is that it is not proposed under the continuation scheme that any local services which, immediately before the coming into force of that scheme, were unregulated services are under the continuation scheme to be provided under quality contracts.

(6) Condition B is that it is not proposed under the continuation scheme that any services which, immediately before the coming into force of that scheme, were excluded services in the case of the existing scheme are not to be excluded services in the case of the continuation scheme.

(7) In this section—

• “the continuation scheme” means the scheme as proposed to continue in operation;

• “excluded services”, in the case of any quality contracts scheme, means any local services, or class of local services, which are excluded from the scheme by virtue of section 127(4);

• “the existing scheme” means—

  (a)

  the scheme as last continued or varied, or

  (b)

  if the scheme has not previously been continued or varied, the scheme as originally made;

• “unregulated services” means any local services provided otherwise than—

  (a)

  under a contract with one or more local transport authorities, or

  (b)

  by an authority or authorities acting under section 132C(2) (power to provide interim services in exceptional circumstances);

and any reference to the coming into force of a scheme includes a reference to the coming into force of any particular provision of it.

(8) See also section 131E (which makes provision about appeals relating to exempt continuation proposals).”.

(2) In section 162 of that Act (interpretation of Part 2) insert the following definition at the appropriate place in subsection (1)—

““exempt continuation proposal” is to be read in accordance with section 131B,”.