Decision details

The Panel upheld the Call-in decision and asked for the matter to be referred back to the Cabinet for a final decision.

To CONFIRM the previous Cabinet decision:

(1) To AGREE that the Council should continue to seek to encourage more sustainable methods of home to school transport, particularly an increase in cycling;

(2) To AGREE that the Council should encourage the promotion of safe cycling routes to school as an alternative to using the car where there is a safe route to do so and that the feasibility of establishing the following two routes should be investigated.:-

a) Between Bishop Sutton and Chew Valley School.

b) Between Compton Dando and Marksbury.

(3) To AGREE with effect from September 2014 a phased withdrawal of subsided home to school transport services for new starters attending denominational schools from September 2014 who would not qualify under other home to school policy subsets, (e.g. as a low income family) save in the case of children with siblings currently at the school. This option would not affect students who currently attend the school, only new pupils joining in September 2014. The anticipated savings from this withdrawal would be seen over a number of years can be found in the table in 3.2.5.

(4) To AGREE to maintain the budget to provide transport for Children in Care [circa £70,000] for the foreseeable future; and

(5) To ASK Passenger Transport Services to review home to school transport routes on a termly basis to ensure best value for money and that home to school transport bus routes are as efficient and effective as possible. This should also include liaising with parents/carers of students who have Special Educational Needs to consider whether it is appropriate for them to receive independent travel training and a personalised transport budget to arrange their own transport which may be more suitable for their needs, similar to the system used at Coventry City Council.

The Cabinet gave consideration to the points made by the panel and to all those who had made statements and submissions.  Particular consideration was given to equality issues and to the financial imperatives.  The Cabinet was mindful of changes made recently by other authorities to arrangements for supporting home to school travel for children at faith schools.

All the options put forward by the Panel in its Review, and other options, were fully considered at each stage of the process.