Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Head of Learning.

It was resolved –

·        To adopt the revised School Transport Policy with effect from the beginning of the new academic year (September 2019).

·        To note the comments of the Finance Scrutiny Panel.

The report of the Head of Learning incorporating a revised School Transport Policy was presented for the Executive’s approval.

The Portfolio Member for Education, Libraries, Culture and Youth reported that whilst no fundamental changes to the eligibility criteria for school transport  are proposed (these are outlined in section 1.2.1 of the report) the revised policy provides detailed clarification on the areas set out in section 1.2 of the report. The Portfolio Member referred to the comments of the Finance Scrutiny Panel which gave detailed consideration to the financial impact of the reformed transport policy at its meeting on 14 February, 2019 noting the reconciliation work on taxi routes that had taken place to confirm eligibility for the service; the resulting reduction in the number of children receiving the service; the inadequacy of the historical budget to meet demand cost for services and the development of partnership work in this area between the Learning, Highways and Resources Services. 

The Head of Learning said that the current School Transport Policy has been reviewed to fulfil the requirements of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 and to provide stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of transport eligibility. The revised policy will also ensure that the Education and Highways Departments act effectively to provide the service and it will confirm their transport provision procedures. Also, the policy will ensure value for money and a quality service for stakeholders.

Councillor Dylan Rees reported from the Corporate Scrutiny Committee’s meeting of the 19 March, 2019 at which the Revised School Transport Policy was discussed. In recommending adoption of the policy to the Executive the Scrutiny Committee had noted that the revised policy is a clarification of the current policy and does not introduce anything new and that it is fully compliant with the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008. The Committee had also recommended that where practicable, consideration be given to the timing of school transport to ensure that pupils who need to can access transport to attend breakfast clubs.

It was resolved –

•           To adopt the revised School Transport Policy with effect from the beginning of the new academic year (September 2019).

•           To note the comments of the Finance Scrutiny Panel.