Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee agreed to establish a School Transport Task & Finish Group; and

(b)       That Councillors: Paul Cunningham, Peter Curtis, Andy Dunbobbin, Nancy Matthews, Carolyn Thomas, and Co-opted members Mr. David Hytch, Mrs. Rita Price and Mrs. Rebecca Stark be nominated to sit on the School Transport Task & Finish Group.  

The Education and Youth Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator introduced a report to seek the Committee’s views on setting up a Task and Finish Group to review the School Transport Policy.  She advised that a detailed review of the current Policy was being undertaken by officers with the Education and Youth portfolio focusing particularly around discretionary entitlement and costs. 

            Councillor Bernie Attridge  suggested that if the Committee decided to establish a Task and Finish Group its remit should encompass all aspects of school transport provision to include statutory and non statutory provision.

During discussion members raised a number of concerns around discretionary transport provision.  Mrs. Rita Price emphasised the importance of equalities impact assessments when considering any future proposals to change the school transport policy. 

            Councillor Attridge advised that due to current and future financial cut backs on funding non statutory provision would be at risk and could not be guaranteed.   

During discussion  the Committee agreed to the setting up of a Task and Finish Group to review the School Transport Policy.  In response to a request for nominations for membership the following members volunteered to serve on the Group: Councillors Paul Cunningham, Peter Curtis, Andy Dunbobbin, Nancy Matthews and Carolyn Thomas.  Mr. David Hytch, Mrs Rita Price and Mrs. Rebecca Stark also put their names forward.   It was agreed that a meeting of the Task & Finish Group be arranged as soon as possible in consultation with the Chief Officer (Education and Youth) and the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation).

RESOLVED: 

 (a)      That the Committee agreed to establish a School Transport Task & Finish Group; and

(b)       That Councillors: Paul Cunningham, Peter Curtis, Andy Dunbobbin, Nancy Matthews, Carolyn Thomas, and Co-opted members Mr. David Hytch, Mrs. Rita Price and Mrs. Rebecca Stark be nominated to sit on the School Transport Task & Finish Group.