AGMA asked to consider volunteer safeguards in revised TIF package
The interim findings from the TIF consultation recognise the contribution that volunteers make to the Greater Manchester sub-region and recommend that more work should be done to minimise the impact that congestion charging could have on the sector. This reflects some of the key recommendations from the Transport Resource Unit's response to the consultation, which can be viewed here: http://www.gmcvo.org.uk/files/TRU%20TIF%20Response.pdf.
The recommendations relating to volunteering state that:
"Feedback from consultation has also identified concerns around the position of volunteers who need to drive across rings at charging times in order to carry out voluntary work. The updated design of the cap arrangements will go some way to resolving some issues. However, it is recognised that much more work needs to be done to minimise unintended consequences of the charging scheme given that volunteers are by definition unwaged (or are workers who volunteer in their spare time) and hence will not benefit from a low income worker discount scheme."
They add that: "It is recognised that the voluntary sector and its volunteers contribute significantly to Greater Manchester and officers will work with voluntary sector representatives and their local authority partners to:
• Qualify and quantify the issues;
• Review travel planning support;
• Explore the potential for alternative methods of working to minimise the requirements to pay any charges."
The recommendations also propose that community transport operators should be exempt from any charging regime and give clarification on how the exemption for medical appointments will work in practice - suggesting that medical establishments assess the need for an exemption on an individual basis. This will allow the discount to be applicable to whichever vehicle has been used to transport the patient and therefore will be of interest to volunteer car schemes. This proposal can be viewed in full here: http://www.gmfuturetransport.co.uk/pdf/13_TIF_package_appendix_2.pdf
The Ipsos MORI report and GMPTA/E recommendations was presented to the AGMA (Association of Greater Manchester Authorities) Executive Board on Friday 31st October for consideration. The Executive Board was also asked to approve the wording of the ballot papers for the forthcoming public referendum on the proposals, which can be viewed in full here: http://www.gmfuturetransport.co.uk/pdf/22-TIF%20Referendum%20Ballot%20Pack.pdf
