Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations and including the following resolution:

(3)       That consultation takes place on the most effective manner in which to implement Option C.

Councillor Bithell explained that the report was before Members following a commitment to review in detail the options for future home to school transport arrangements for John Summers High School in the event of school closure.

            A Ministerial decision on the closure of the school was expected in early 2016.  By September 2017 there were expected to be 191 pupils on roll, based on current numbers.  Although Hawarden High School would be the nearest school for some pupils, the majority of pupils within the existing John Summers High School cohort would not gain a place through the admissions process as most year groups were already full.  Therefore, Connah’s Quay High School was considered to be the “partnering” school. 

            An estimate of likely transport costs on four possible options was outlined in the report and was based on the home addresses of the currently anticipated student cohort.

            The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) explained the options which were:

1. Option A – Apply current Home to School Policy (cost £695/day or £132,050 pa)
2. Option B – Apply current Home to School Transport Policy with consideration given to additional discretionary transport for families on income support who did not meet the mileage criteria and/or had large family groups over 2 children (in the current year groups) and were between 2-2.5 miles away from the school.  Under this option, approximately 148 pupils would be eligible for free transport (cost £695/day or £132,050 pa)
3. Option C – Apply discretionary transport arrangements for the full current pupil cohort to the partnering school (transport from home area).  Approximately 191 pupils would be eligible (all pupils currently on role) (cost £890/day or £169,100 pa)
4. Option D – Apply discretionary transport arrangements for the full current pupil cohort to the partnering school (transport provided from Queensferry campus only).  Approximately 191 pupils would be eligible (all pupils currently on roll) (cost £645/day or £122,550 pa)

The numbers on roll would continue to be monitored to ensure that transport was only provided for the cohort that was at John Summers High School at the point of transition.  The Chief Executive added that local consultation would take place with schools and the local community on the workability of the scheme, taking on board local knowledge.

Members endorsed Option C.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the four options on transport provision be considered;

(b)       That Option C be supported, to apply discretionary transport arrangements for the full current pupil cohort to the partnering school from the student’s home area; and

(c)        That consultation takes place on the most effective manner in which to implement Option C.

Councillor Christine Jones left the room during discussion of the item.