Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

The Cabinet Member for Education presented a report to approve consultation on the renewal of Home to School Transport Policies for Denominational and Post 16 transport.  He explained that the issue had arisen following consideration by an Overview & Scrutiny Task Group which had reported to the former Executive, and he outlined the options contained in the report.

The Director of Lifelong Learning explained that under statutory requirements, free transport had to be provided for pupils aged 5-16 living over two miles from their nearest appropriate school and for secondary school pupils living over three miles from their nearest appropriate school.  However, the Council currently provided additional assistance beyond that required by law which meant a high level of spend on transport.  The options to reconsider the policy would help to achieve savings and encourage more young people to access their local education.  It was intended to commence a full consultation process in the Spring 2013 term and to report the outcomes to Cabinet in April 2013.

RESOLVED:

That consultation to renew the school transport policy for denominational and post 16 transport be commissioned.