Issue - decisions

Please note amended decision:

County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools:

(i)  Considered the information in this report;

(ii)  Determined the following changes in respect of the discretionary home to mainstream schools transport policy, effective from 1 September 2014:

·  withdrawal of transport assistance for pupils who move home whilst in Years 6,10 or 11;

·  increase the charge to £475 per annum for parents who pay the contributory charge to faith schools, and, thereafter, by Retail Price Index plus 5%;

·  withdrawal of transport assistance for pupils affected by a managed move;

·  increase the charge for replacement bus passes to £20 (a £15 charge will apply to pupils from low income families and pupils with statements of special educational needs will continue to be exempt from charges);

·  introduce a charge of £10 for amending bus passes (a £5 charge will apply to pupils from low income families);

·  increase the fares and costs of season tickets on contracted school bus services to prices outlined in the attached report on the results of the home to school transport consultation document at Appendix A;

·  review modes of transport for families living in remote areas by reimbursing parents the cost of petrol to the nearest bus stop rather than providing a taxi (this will be subject to the agreement of individual parents)

(iii)  Determined the following changes in respect of the discretionary home to mainstream schools transport policy, effective from 1 September 2015, and applicable to newly admitted children only:

·  to no longer provide transport assistance for pupils attending a faith school which serves the parish in which they live, when there is another nearer faith school; and

·  to no longer provide transport assistance to schools within the geographical priority area of the pupil's home, when there is another nearer school.

Families on low incomes are exempt from the changes, apart from those relating to replacement or amended bus passes; and

(iv)Continue with the review of vehicle capacities and unsuitable routes and present a further report on findings, for implementation with effect from September 2014 onwards.

The Committee considered a report setting out a number of proposals in relation to changes to the discretionary (non-statutory) home to mainstream schools transport policy, following a period of consultation. It was reported that the spend on this area was £8.5m in 2012/13, which was all discretionary. It was recognised that the decisions would be controversial, and that many responses had been received, largely disagreeing with the proposals as they related to transport to faith schools.

The role of the Student Support Appeals committee in ensuring that members were involved in considering appeals from parents was noted, although some concerns were raised about the timescales for appeals, especially in cases of short term need.  

Resolved:That the recommendations to be presented to the Cabinet Member be confirmed without amendment or modification, with the exception of recommendation ii), where the proposal for the withdrawal of transport assistance where a child is temporarily unable to walk to school due to a temporary medical incapacity was not supported by the Committee.