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<p>The Department has recently published guidance on bus franchising which is available
at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bus-services-act-2017-bus-franchising-creation"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bus-services-act-2017-bus-franchising-creation</a></p><p>
</p><p>The Act provides automatic access to franchising powers to mayoral combined
authorities. The criteria the Secretary of State will use to determine whether to
grant consent to non-mayoral combined authorities will focus on whether the authority
in question has clear and locally supported aspirations which will benefit passengers
and a sensible plan in place, as well as the right capabilities to make franchising
a success.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State meets local authorities, including
non-mayoral authorities, on a regular basis. We do not comment on the content of individual
meetings.</p>
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