Agenda item

BCP Council is legally required to have a single home to school transport policy. A BCP Council Policy has been drafted to replace the three existing policies. The draft policy has been developed to ensure consistency across the conurbation. It will provide a single point of reference for families and officers regarding eligibility and how it is assessed.

Permission to determine the policy is being sought from cabinet following a public consultation held January-February 2022. The consultation was held in accordance with the requirements of the Department for Education’s statutory guidance. Key stakeholders were targeted during the consultation period.

The Team Manager, School Admissions presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

BCP Council was legally required to have a single home to school transport policy. A BCP Council Policy had been drafted to replace the three existing policies. The draft policy had been developed to ensure consistency across the conurbation. It would provide a single point of reference for families and officers regarding eligibility and how it was assessed.

Permission to determine the policy was being sought from cabinet following a public consultation held January-February 2022. The consultation was held in accordance with the requirements of the Department for Education’s statutory guidance. Key stakeholders were targeted during the consultation period.

The Committee discussed the report and comments were made, including:

• In response to a query regarding the low level of responses which appeared to be very personal to their own circumstances, the Committee was advised that they had tried to change the layout of the policy to make it clear what it meant to the individuals.  The method of engaging with consultees was highlighted and the communications report surrounding the consultation, but unfortunately those had not resulted in people taking the time to engage.
• A Committee Member referred to the section in the policy of what wasn’t covered including if a child became unwell during the school day, transport would not be paid for, the Committee was reassured that discussions with the school would be had in order to safeguard the child and would do utmost to help whilst acknowledging limitations
• A Committee Member commented regarding the exceptions and exceptional circumstances that cause parents concern and was therefore pleased there was still an appeals process in place involving elected members. The Committee was advised of the process which would be undertaken before an appeal was necessary to ensure officers took time collectively to ensure appropriate consideration to any requests from parents was given.
• In response to a query regarding free transport for a grammar school, it was advised that this would not be covered unless it was one of the three closest schools to the child’s home.
• In response to a query regarding fuel wear and tear and sustainable options, there was discussion regarding active travel such as bikes and it was noted that there were separate webpages in response to the active travel strategy, however purchasing bikes for pupils was not something which would be covered by this strategy 
• It was noted that petrol wear and tear was one of the last options considered under the strategy and made up a small percentage of those currently using the home to school transport scheme.

RESOLVED that the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommend

(a)           Cabinet agrees to determine the Home to School Transport policy, and

(b)      Delegates authority to the Director of Education, Children’s Services to implement the policy for eligibility requests from 2022/23 academic year.

Voting: For - unanimous

Due to the Officer not yet being in attendance for the item ‘Children’s Services Improvement Plan – Quality Assurance Framework’, the Chair advised the Committee it would move to the next item on the agenda.