Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Cabinet Member be asked to reconsider the proposals in view of the issues and concerns raised during the meeting; and

(b)       That a further report be submitted to the Committee for further consideration.

The Director of Lifelong Learning introduced a report to seek Members’ views on proposed changes to discretionary school transport policy; namely post 16 and transport to denominational schools. 

The Director outlined the proposed changes in respect of transport to denominational schools and transport for post 16 students.  He advised that the changes for post 16 transport would be implemented from the start of the 2013/14 academic year for new students.  The changes to denominational transport would be introduced in a “phased” approach from September 2014, as new pupils were admitted into Year 7.  The changes would not affect existing pupils. 

The Director advised that consultation with all stakeholders commenced on 1 March and would continue until 12 April.  The responses received would be collated into a report for consideration by Cabinet on 23 April 2013.   This would enable post-16 changes to be implemented from September 2013.

The Cabinet Member for Education referred to the work undertaken by a Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Task and Finish Group in 2010/11 on this issue when the Group scrutinised in detail the implications of this aspect of the policy in terms of parental preference and admissions to school.

During discussion the Cabinet Member for Education, Director of Lifelong Learning and Officers responded to the questions and concerns raised by Members around provision for sibling groups, provision for faith schools and Welsh medium education, students living in rural areas, and issues in relation to Wrexham transport to Yale and Glyndwr Colleges.

Some members expressed concern regarding lack of public awareness and access to the consultation questionnaire on the Authority’s website.  Councillor Mackie said that the consultation questionnaire had not been made available on the Authority’s website until sometime after the consultation start date.

Councillor N.R. Steele-Mortimer commented that even though parents of pupils may not have any religious preferences they may wish for their children to be raised and educated in a certain faith.

Members agreed that a further report be submitted to the Committee.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Cabinet Member be asked to reconsider the proposals in view of the issues and concerns raised during the meeting; and

(b)       That a further report be submitted to the Committee for further consideration.