Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Customers and Education Support (copy enclosed) outlining proposals for the revised policy for Home to School Transport.

9.35 a.m. – 10.05 a.m.

The Head of Customers and Education Support (HCES) submitted a report (previously circulated) outlining proposals for the revised policy for Home to School Transport together with the consultation process and timescale for implementation.  She apologised for an error in the report advising it had not been possible to consult with new Nursery pupils planned for September 2015.  Some background to the report was provided and it was clarified that there was no proposal to change existing provisions for transport to Welsh Medium or Faith schools within the revised policy.  The Chair drew members’ attention to a letter (previously circulated) from the Diocese of Wrexham regarding the consultation and proposed changes.

Members considered (1) the outcome of enforcing the new policy to remove historic anomalies in the eligibility process, and (2) implementation of central pick up points as detailed in the revised policy.  It was noted that the proposals would likely generate savings of around £272k and £30k in the secondary and primary sectors respectively.  Officers agreed with preliminary consultation feedback that disruption caused in implementing pick up points for the primary sector may outweigh the potential savings to be made but that implementation for the secondary sector was acceptable.  A large number of responses related to Welsh Medium provision and the HCES reported upon historical anomalies and those who would be affected by strict enforcement of the policy.  As a result there had been requests to limit the designation of Welsh Medium to category 1 schools instead of category 1 and 2 and members were advised of the ramifications of such a major policy change which included a detrimental impact on future roll numbers and transport costs.  Details of the concessionary transport scheme for those who did not qualify for free transport were also provided.

Key areas of discussion focused on the following –

·        whilst acknowledging the absence of national recommendations/guidance on the consultation process and noting the tight timescale in this case, members did raise concerns that the consultation had been published during the school summer holiday period.  Members also noted the slight delay in circulating the consultation document to officers of the Diocese of St. Asaph, the oversight in not circulating it earlier in the process to the scrutiny committees’ co-opted education members,  and that non-availability of addresses for parents of nursery school children had precluded copies being sent to them.  It was also highlighted that parents of primary school children not currently eligible for school transport had not been written to but that their future entitlement to provision in the secondary sector may be affected as a result of the changes.  However, as the document had been made readily available on the Council’s website and given the comprehensive list of consultees and the fact that parents currently in receipt of school transport had been individually written to, members were of the view that the authority had made reasonable efforts to raise awareness of the revised draft policy and the consultation on it.  The committee felt there would be little merit in extending the consultation period as it was unlikely that any new issues would emerge as a result

·        members’ considered that information should be made available to parents of Year 6 pupils far earlier than at present on which secondary school was their ‘nearest suitable school’, ideally when the children were in Year 5.  The committee supported plans to provide an interactive map on the Council’s website for this purpose which parents could access

·        the committee agreed that free school transport in future should be provided for each pupil in secondary education from a designated pick-up point to their ‘nearest suitable school’ with pupils who were currently attending a school which was not deemed to be their ‘nearest suitable school’ being given free transport until such time as they stopped attending that school.  It was acknowledged that the transition period would last a number of years and result in disparity during that time

·        it was agreed that concessionary travel should be made available at designated pick-up points for new pupils who chose not to attend their ‘nearest suitable school’ subject to surplus places being available on already commissioned schools transport.  Members asked that as much notice as possible be provided to withdraw a concession if seats subsequently became unavailable and noted the intention to limit concessions to a 12 month period with a reasonable charge to cover administration costs.  It was also noted that concessions were not provided on public bus services

·        members noted the ramifications of changing the school categorisation and  were of the view that it should remain as at present, with schools which are not Category 1 being supported to improve and increase the use of Welsh and Welsh Language provision to move along the language continuum

·        the committee emphasised the need for robust risk assessments to be undertaken for all pick-up points and hazardous routes to ensure a safe route was maintained at all times and the HCES provided assurances in that regard confirming risk assessments would be undertaken in line with the Learner Travel Measure

·        in view of the complexities of the issue the HCES agreed to speak to members outside of the meeting regarding individual cases.

During general debate members also discussed with officers the behaviour of school children when travelling to and from school, particularly those using public transport, and the responsibilities of schools in that regard were acknowledged.  Co-opted Member Dawn Marjoram highlighted the excellent service provided by the Council in transporting those pupils with special needs but asked if officers could look into the length of journey times to ensure they remained as short as possible.  She also asked that, where appropriate, a cost benefit analysis be undertaken for pupils with additional learning needs to consider residential costs and taxi journeys.

RESOLVED that subject to the above comments to recommend to Cabinet that from September 2015 onwards –

(a)       free school transport should be provided to each pupil in secondary education who qualifies for free transport, from a designated pick-up point to their ‘nearest suitable school’, and that pupils who are currently attending a school which is not deemed to be their ‘nearest suitable school’, being given free transport until such time as they cease to attend that school;

(b)       concessionary travel should be available at designated pick-up points to new pupils who choose not to attend their ‘nearest suitable school’ only if surplus places are available on already commissioned school transport, and

(c)        for clarity the name of the policy should be amended to ‘Home to School Transport Eligibility Policy’.

At this juncture (10.50 a.m.) the meeting adjourned for a refreshment break.