Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

            Councillor Roberts introduced the Discretionary Transport Policy Review: Post 16 College & School Transport and Benefits Entitlement report which outlined the two discretionary areas and a full range of options for consideration to ensure an open and transparent consultation process.

            He stressed that no decision was being sought today with a range of options being proposed for a formal consultation process to begin.  He provided assurance that there was no pre-determination of any of the options.

            Consultation would be carried out with all stakeholders including those likely to be affected by the proposed change.

            The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) said all stakeholders would be encouraged to respond and key partners had been informed that a consultation was being recommended to Cabinet.  The Chief Executive added that it was important that stakeholders engaged constructively with the consultation exercise.

            In response to a question from Councillor Bithell, the Chief Officer (Governance) explained that the Authority was not at risk of a challenge by way of judicial review as no decision was being taken.

            RESOLVED:

That the range of options for formal consultation in Spring 2019 on the discretionary school transport policy areas of Post 16 provision and Benefits entitlement be approved.