2012 AGM Minutes - Community Transport Association

The Chair invited members to ask questions.
Neil Widdowfield of Bluebird Vehicles asked what the CTA can do to reinforce their
link to Bluebird and other corporate partners, as these links have weakened since
the Annual Event ceased in March 2011. KPH provided brief details on the new
Corporate Supporter Scheme that has been recently launched which aims to reestablish
and develop these links with manufacturers and suppliers. KPH stressed
the desire to work together strategically and that the CTA would like to look wider
than simply advertising, for example the new CT Online system will create
opportunities for working closer with corporate partners.
Ed Bassford from Community Transport Brighton, Hove and Area Ltd stressed the
importance of keeping the wow-factor that the Annual Event created, and that the
event ensured that Community Transport Organisations (CTOs) remained
aspirational regarding their vehicles and equipment. He also said that the event
shouldn’t be judged on its financial impact although he didn’t advocate doing
anything financially reckless. The point was noted by the Chair and Chief Executive.
Bob Beaumont from Suffolk CT also stressed the importance of the need for a
national event both for meeting the trade and also networking.
David Woods from Suffolk CT said that through the CTA’s role as the national voice
to government it was clear that the CTA has strong links to the Department for
Transport, however CTOs have services that are very relevant to other government
departments. David asked what the CTA is doing to engage with the other
departments to raise the profile of community transport and the contribution CTOs
are making to society. KPH explained the strong links that are in place with a
number of other government departments. Through the Transport Minister, the CTA
have raised the issue of Non-Emergency Patient Transport with the Health Minister
on two separate occasions. Both times the CTA have been informed that this is a
local issue and have been advised to find a supportive Primary Care Trust or Clinical
Commissioning Group to highlight best practice and work from there. Strong
relationships are also in place with Defra, the Cabinet Office (evidenced by the
Minister for Civil Society’s involvement in the England Policy Conference today) and
the Department for Communities and Local Government, with whom the CTA will be
doing more work in the coming months.
Elspeth Mallowan from Rural Community Action Nottingham asked what the CTA is
doing about the EU State Aid issue. KPH responded that the CTA is engaged in an
on-going discussion with the Department for Transport on this important issue. KPH
suggested that this would be a good question to ask John Dowie, from the
Department for Transport, who would be speaking at the England Policy
Conference. KPH said that the Department for Transport are very supportive of
community transport and that they are currently awaiting a response from the
European Commission about the complaint that had been made by a commercial
operator. While taking the issue very seriously, the CTA have chosen against a high
media profile as this would only inflame the situation in the trade press. Elspeth said
that the CTA’s position has not been communicated and that this is causing anxiety
within the sector. KPH explained that the CTA’s position was stated in the current
edition of CTA Journal (which all members receive) but acknowledged the CTA
would review its communications. KPH stated that the issue has been raised with
the Cabinet Office in a briefing for Nick Hurd MP who is a speaker at the England
Policy Conference.
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