Agenda item

The attached cabinet report introduces a common home to school transport policy for the whole of the BCP Council area across the areas of the three former council areas

The Head of Service – School Planning and Admissions presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Cabinet report introduced a common home to school transport policy for the whole of the BCP Council area across the areas of the three former council areas.

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

• There was some discussion over whether pupils that don’t get the required grades to attend a local college, would be provided transport costs to attend a college outside of BCP and the Committee was advised that the eligibility criteria was not met for a certain course, then another course may have to be considered
• Timescales for applying for transport would have to be considered and could possibly be considered under appeals procedure.
• It was highlighted that the overriding factor was it was a parents preference to consider applications which should include how the pupil would travel there
• Take point away as would like to reduce NEETS, would encourage pupils to take up spaces so will need to consider how policy impacts on those pupils.  Statutory landscape – overriding preference for parent that they need to consider how their child can travel to school.  Don’t want to open floodgates.
• A Committee Member highlighted the Transport appeals panel and some positive additions to the policy however there was a backlog for transport appeals and ensuring parents were aware of the policy by requesting schools advise parents of their right
• Page 19 of policy states minimum of three Members sit on the panel, should be amended to four.
• In response to a query regarding the timescales for changes, the Committee was advised that the majority of the years 10 and 11 who travel under the policy, most of them are in receipt of FSM and so would continue to receive.  The small number who may not be in receipt will need to reapply annually
• In response to a query regarding school transport help for pupils attending one of the Grammar schools, the Committee was advised that it would be difficult to answer these questions, but they could be picked up and considered through the consultation process.
• The statutory criteria was highlighted and the distinction between that and parental preference and in response to a query regarding whether there were any children who received funding for free assistance with transport who lived within the allocated distance but that if the route was considered hazardous,
• Don’t have detail but should be able to identify the children who receive funding under the hazardous code – if easy to identify will email Lisa Northover. ACTION
• In response to a query about the assistance provided and whether consideration could be given to providing active assistance such as a bike or scooter, the Committee considered what could be offered in terms of the definition of transport and what it is made up of.

The Chair summarised as follows:

• Four changes to policy
• Pupils who were eligible
• Appeals Committee
• Consolidation of policies
• Timescales for changes
• Hazardous routes.

RECOMMENDED that Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee consider the attached report concerning home to school transport and make any comments or recommendations to Cabinet.