Concessionary travel passes

Dear Mr Eriksohn,

Thank you for your request for information. I will respond within the 20
working days allowed under the Freedom of information Act regulations.

Yours sincerely,

Stephen Jump
Financial Services Manager
Lewes District Council
Direct dial: 01273 484043

Mail to:
Lewes District Council
Finance Department
PO Box 128
Lewes
BN7 9DB

>>> Robert Eriksohn <[FOI #6966 email]> 29 January
2009 >>>
Dear Sir or Madam,

I would like to make a request as regards to the concessionary
travel arrangements in your authority under the terms of Freedom of
Information Act.

1. Does your authority provide concessionary travel passes to those
individuals registered with their local Social Services department
as disabled on the grounds of being a mental health user or
survivor?

2. If your authority does have such arrangements why was the
decision taken to extend the scheme in this way and what
arrangements are in place?

3. If your authority does not have such arrangements does your
authority have some other arrangement beyond the statuary minimum
to provide passes to those with mental health issues?

4. If your authority does not have such arrangements why was the
decision taken not to extend the scheme in this way and has
consideration been given to extending the scheme in this way in the
future?

5. Would it be possible to provide copies of any relevant policy
documents you may have.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Robert Eriksohn

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Dear Mr Eriksohn,

In response to your recent query, I am able to give you the following
information:

1. Does your authority provide concessionary travel passes to those
individuals registered with their local Social Services department
as disabled on the grounds of being a mental health user or
survivor?
The Council's Concessionary Travel section does not have access to
information regarding those persons who are registered with East Sussex
County Council's Social Services department as disabled on the grounds
of being a mental health user or survivor. In line with Government
guidance, we assess each application for a concessionary bus pass on the
basis of the individual circumstances of the applicant, rather than an
adopting a general 'qualifying rule' approach. Each applicant is asked
to provide documents in support of their request.

2. If your authority does have such arrangements why was the
decision taken to extend the scheme in this way and what
arrangements are in place?
Not applicable.

3. If your authority does not have such arrangements does your
authority have some other arrangement beyond the statuary minimum
to provide passes to those with mental health issues?
No - the statutory minimum applies.

4. If your authority does not have such arrangements why was the
decision taken not to extend the scheme in this way and has
consideration been given to extending the scheme in this way in the
future?
There has been no request to the Council to extend the scheme in
this way. You may be aware that there is a great deal of concern among
local authorites in England that the the national concessionary travel
scheme is not being adequately funded by the Government. This Council
believes that the cost of the statutory scheme exceeds the Government
grant that we receive, putting great pressure on the Council's budgets
as a whole. In the light of this, the Council has chosen, to date, to
operate the scheme at the statutory minimum level.

5. Would it be possible to provide copies of any relevant policy
documents you may have.
We do not have local policy documents, but refer to the
Government's guidance which can be found at
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/buses...

Yours sincerely,

Stephen Jump
Financial Services Manager
Lewes District Council
Direct dial: 01273 484043

Mail to: Council Offices
Fisher Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2DQ

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9:19 PM >>>
Dear Sir or Madam,

I would like to make a request as regards to the concessionary
travel arrangements in your authority under the terms of Freedom of
Information Act.

1. Does your authority provide concessionary travel passes to those
individuals registered with their local Social Services department
as disabled on the grounds of being a mental health user or
survivor?

2. If your authority does have such arrangements why was the
decision taken to extend the scheme in this way and what
arrangements are in place?

3. If your authority does not have such arrangements does your
authority have some other arrangement beyond the statuary minimum
to provide passes to those with mental health issues?

4. If your authority does not have such arrangements why was the
decision taken not to extend the scheme in this way and has
consideration been given to extending the scheme in this way in the
future?

5. Would it be possible to provide copies of any relevant policy
documents you may have.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Robert Eriksohn

show quoted sections