Agenda item

To consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services for pre-scrutiny on the outcome of the public consultation on changes to the Home to School Transport Policy and for Post-16 Transport services for children and young people, including those with special educational needs.

The committee received a report from the Director of Children’s Services setting out the outcomes of the recent Home to School Transport Policy Public Consultation (see Item 9 in the Minute Book).

Members noted that the Local Authority had a statutory duty to provide home to school transport to certain young people where they meet circumstances prescribed in legislation. The existing service provides daily transport for 9,000 children and young people every school day.

The committee heard that the proposed changes to the policy would allow for route planning and vehicle use to utilise efficiencies provided by increased use of collective pick-up points and multiple destinations. It was noted that there was not a statutory requirement for home to school transport to be a door to door service or to provide for individual establishments.

In order for the service to deliver savings as part of the Council’s 2023 savings programme, permission to consult with the public and affected service users was provided in January 2022. The public’s views on two proposals were sought:

·         Increase the use of co-ordinated pick up and drop off points for SEND children.

·         Arrange journeys to more commonly serve multiple schools and colleges and age groups, including journeys that serve both mainstream and special schools and colleges.

Members heard that these changes would improve the efficiency of school journeys as fewer vehicles may be required, with some carrying on average more children. This would provide savings of up to £986,000.

However, the consultation highlighted a lack of support by respondents to the proposed changes to the current arrangements, with a majority not in agreement not in agreement with either proposal.

The committee heard that many of the concerns raised in the consultation would be mitigated by applying the changes to the policy on an individual basis, ensuring that each individual children’s needs are considered. This would be incorporated into the process, in accordance with the statutory guidance and the Council’s Home to School Transport Entitlement policy.

In response to questions, members heard that:

·         In cases where it was considered appropriate, it would allow for a more inclusive approach in relation to young people with SEN, preparing them for later life .

·         Journey appropriateness was assessed by travel time, rather then the start time of the journey in relation to the school’s opening time.

·         Consideration would be given not just to individuals, but to the mix of young people on each vehicle.

·         The changes would not be implemented unilaterally, but following individual assessment, over a period of 1 to 3 years.

·         Travel escorts will continue to be deployed where needed.

·         There is a two stage appeals process which parents can engage in when they are not happy with an outcome in relation to Home to School Transport. This is a statutory requirement.

·         The department works very closely alongside their providers and will work to prevent changes being a surprise and supporting transitions for children with vulnerabilities, as is the case currently when arrangements change.

·         The majority of families will not have a significant pre-journey introduced, with the majority anticipated as being a few hundred metres to a gathering spot.

·         The savings figure is an estimate as any changes to transport will be assessed on a case by case basis.

·         Officers have researched other local authorities who have taken similar actions in relation to their policies, to learn from their experience.

·         The proposed changes would also have a positive impact on the environment, as a result of fewer vehicles undertaking journeys.

Following questions, the initial recommendation was proposed, and a vote was held with the following outcome:

For:                 9

Against:         4

Abstained:     1

The Executive Lead Member thanked the Select Committee for their comments and assured the members that they would inform their decision.

RECOMMENDATION:

That, regarding the changes to the Home to School Transport Policy, the Select Committee supports the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Children's Services.