Agenda item

The Cabinet Lead Member for Environment and Transport, Mrs. L. A. S. Pendleton CC has been invited for the discussion on this item.

 

The Commission considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport to the Cabinet which set out the results of the public consultation into proposals for Home to School Transport and the Concessionary Travel Scheme and proposed changes thereto. A copy of the report, marked ‘CC’, is filed with these minutes.

 

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting the Cabinet Lead Member for Transportation, Mrs. L. A. S. Pendleton CC who was present to respond to any questions raised by the Commission.

 

During the course of the ensuing discussion, the following comments/decisions were made:-

 

A.        Concessionary Travel

 

The Commission was advised that the County Council was having to subsidise the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme to the tune of £1million per year and that it was likely that the level of subsidy would need to be increased in the future as Central Government was further reduced.

 

The Commission noted the proposals which would result in the removal of the following discretionary elements with effect from 1^st October:-

 

·                    Half fare on community transport;

·                    £33 of vouchers as an alternative to a bus pass;

·                    Free travel before 9.30am – Monday to Friday for disabled pass holders;

·                    Free travel after 11.00pm – Monday to Friday for all concessionary pass holders.

 

Some members expressed concern at the proposals to remove free travel before 9.30am for disabled people as this would affect those disabled people in low paid employment.

 

Concern was also expressed about the impact of the proposal to cease to provided vouchers as an alternative to bus passes particularly to disabled people who were unable to access bus services. In this regard the Commission was advised that the County Council was looking to expanding Demand Responsive Transport as an alternative to buses in rural areas and this might offer an opportunity for disabled people.

 

B.        Home to School Transport – Revised Policy­­­­­­ - Appendix G

 

In response to questions by Mr Shepherd CC, the Scrutiny Commission was advised that a number of complaints had been made to the Local Government Ombudsman about the withdrawal of transport to school and the assessment of walking routes.  These were still subject to that complaint process and therefore it would not be appropriate to comment in detail at this stage.

 

The Ombudsman's Investigator had raised some issues in relation to the application of the DfES guidance issued in 2007.

 

As a result, the County Council proposed to amend its internal guidance for assessing routes. The proposed guidance set out in Appendix 3 of report expanded and enhanced the previous guidance on this issue and took into account the DfES guidance as well as guidance recently issued by Road Safety GB.

 

Subject to the Cabinet agreeing the new policy it was intended to review against the new criteria those routes where complaints had been received.

 

C.                            Home to School Transport

(a)               Academies

The Commission noted that the proposals would have the following effect:

·        September 2012 – No change to mainstream home to school transport existing catchment areas;

 

·        September 2013 – No change to mainstream home to school transport existing catchment areas;

·        September 2014 – Mainstream home to school transport introduced to nearest available school. Transport Eligibility areas introduced for new pupils only and existing pupils to have existing eligibility until they leave school.

During the discussion, some concern was expressed that the proposals now being put forward regarding transport to the “nearest available school” might not have been clearly understood during the consultation process, particularly as the traditional local authority boundaries would no longer apply. This might go some way to explaining why there was a low level of response to the consultation.

The Commission was advised that the legal advice received was that it would not be appropriate to refer to the “nearest Leicestershire school” as all academies could compete to attract student, regardless of location.

 

It was recognised that the proposed policy would have a significant impact on current arrangements, and hence, it was proposed that the policy should only come into effect in September 2014 in order that parents and carers had sufficient notice to understand the impact the new policy would have in relation to the “nearest available school” and consequent transport arrangements.

 

It was moved by Dr. Hill CC and seconded by Mr. Boulter CC:-

 

“That proposals be put on hold as the implications of the “nearest available school” appear not to have been clearly understood and that the Cabinet be asked to undertake specific consultation with schools and parents/carers, which should include the exploration of partnership arrangements for transport with academies.”

 

An amendment was moved by Dr. Feltham CC and seconded by Mrs. Page CC:-

 

“That the proposals now being put forward be adopted and that the Cabinet be asked to ensure that there is a process of engagement with parents and schools so that there is a clear understanding of the implications of the policy which will come into effect in September 2014.”

 

The amendment was carried, eight members having voted for the amendment and four against.

 

It was agreed that officers should be requested to provide a detailed briefing to members on the statutory requirements placed on the local authority to provide home to school transport, with particular reference to academies.

(b)              Denominational Schools

The Commission noted the implications of the proposals as follows:

·        September 2012 - Discretionary home to denominational transport increases in cost from £240 to £320;

·        September 2013 – Discretionary home to denominational transport likely to increase in cost from £320 to around £500 and no new starters – existing pupils start to be phased out over five years;

·        September 2012 – Discretionary home to denominational transport likely increases in cost from around £500 to somewhere between £525 and £575;

·        That the current reduction in cost to a family where two or more children using transport would cease;

·        That the hardship fund of £20,000 would be phased out by 2017.

 

Concern was expressed that these proposals would adversely impact on low income families.

 

(c)               16+ and Further Education College Supported Transport

The Commission noted the implications of the proposals as follows:

·        September 2012 – 16+ transport increases from £240 to £430 (new waiver for low income families);

·        September 2013 – 16+ transport £430 but likely to increase to be somewhere between £450 and £500;

·        September 2014 – 16+ transport £430 (but likely to reflect previous increases) and only to the nearest sixth form school or further education college.

Concern was expressed at the impact the measures would have on low income families and on increased congestion and parking near colleges.

 

(d)              Farepaying Places

The Commission noted the implications of the proposals as follows:

 

·        September 2012 – farepaying transport to a flat £430;

·        September 2013 – farepaying transport at a flat rate at the same level as 16+;

·        September 2014 – farepaying transport to reflect the 16+ charge.

In regard to farepaying places, the Director advised the Commission that the operation of the present system meant that one space on taxis was kept free to enable the Authority to meet its statutory obligations to provide transport for any pupils that moved schools during the academic year. Where there was more than one space on a taxi, these were made available to parents/carers. The Director acknowledged that this arrangement was not fully transparent to parents and carers and agreed to include greater clarity on this in the application process.

(e)               Change of Address

The Commission noted the proposals to remove entitlement for families that moved at any stage of education and in particular GCSE exam year. Exceptional circumstances would be taken into account.

 

The Commission acknowledged that parents or carers who moved children of their own volition should not be guaranteed transport.

 

Accordingly, it was RESOLVED:

General

 

(a)               That the Cabinet be advised of the comments now made regarding the proposed changes to the Concessionary Travel Scheme and Home to School Transport;

 

Home to School Transport to Academies

(b)               That the proposals now being put forward be adopted and that the Cabinet be asked to ensure that there is a process of engagement with parents and schools so that there is a clear understanding of the implications of the policy which will come into effect in September 2014.

 

(c)               That officers be requested to provide a briefing to members of the Commission on the statutory requirements placed on local authorities to provide home to school transport with particular reference to academies.