To undertake pre-Cabinet scrutiny of the Home to School/College Transport Policy.
This item was considered at scrutiny on the 13th March 2018 and Cabinet on the 10th April 2018. It was consulted on between May and July 2018. This Policy is due for consideration at Cabinet on 18th September 2018.
The following documents are attached:
· Draft Cabinet Report 18th September 2018
· Appendix A – Consultation summary
· Appendix B – Home to School Transport Policy consultation version
· Appendix C – Home to School Transport Policy post consultation version
· Appendix D – Impact Assessment – Home to School Transport Policy 2018
· Scrutiny observations of 13th March 2018
Minutes:
Documents:
· Home to School Transport Policy
o Appendix A – Consultation Summary Report
o Appendix B - Home to School Transport Policy – Consultation
o Appendix C - Home to School Transport Policy – post consultation version
o Appendix D – Impact Assessment
· ESG Scrutiny Observations on Home to School Transport Policy – March 2018
Discussion:
· Pre consultation scrutiny observations had been considered by Cabinet on 13 March 2018
· The Policy under consideration had been prepared post consultation and would be considered by Cabinet on 18 September 2018
· The existing Policy had been in place since 2011 and was subject to legislative changes
· The key changes related to qualifying distances, suitable schools, catchment schools, ALN and a proposal to charge for Post 16 education
· It was acknowledged that further work would need to be undertaken in relation to charging for Post 16 and transport to Welsh medium schools. A further report on these issues would be available during the spring term for consideration.
· 300 responses to the consultation plus a further 15 emails had been received
· Members had thought that the consultation was not significantly robust either in terms of numbers of responses or geographical spread
· Further clarity was needed regarding definitions of suitable school or catchment school
· The method by which the distance to the nearest school was calculated was not clear – was this by way of a bus route, main road, footpath etc
· The Committee were of the opinion that the Policy failed to clarify points and could confuse rather than assist parents
· It was not possible to judge the impact on either parents or the Authority as no financial analysis had been provided
· Members discussed whether there should be further consultation on the amended Policy - if Cabinet approve the Policy at their meeting in September, it is proposed that implementation will take place on 1 September 2019. Further reports relating to language provision and Post 16 will be considered in the New Year.
· Whilst acknowledging that further reports would be forthcoming consideration must be given to definitions of schools in terms of language provision. It was noted that the Welsh Language Commission had commented on the contradiction between the Authority’s ambition and the transport policy. Equality was essential and this was not currently happening.
· Further information was requested regarding patterns of journey times
· Comment was made that uncertainty in transport contracts did not allow contractors to invest in appropriate vehicles which may impact upon health and safety standards. New contracts were being let on a 5 – 7 year basis with a 12 week notice period. A further report on contracts was requested.
· Provision of Post 16 was under review and this should be considered holistically with the transport review. Many Powys students study outside of the county and a wider view should be taken to retain young people within the county.
· Although the Policy states that journey times will be a maximum of 1 hour for secondary pupils and 45 minutes for primary students it was not possible to guarantee these journey times
· It was clarified that the Authority pays for journeys between different classes but the Committee questioned whether charging for these journeys should also be considered
· Passenger assistance had been reviewed but this may need further review once the ALN Policy has been finalised
· Transition arrangements were in place with the details included within the documents
· Members were concerned that when maps were issued the detail was incorrect and questioned when new maps could be expected. The maps had been prepared by another service within the Authority and some catchments had overlapped. It was hoped that a catchment map would be prepared for each school but no date had been identified.
· Further concern was expressed that there were still some overlaps within the new policy which would give some parents a choice of schools. Although it was acknowledged that a parent can apply for a place at any school they would be liable for transport costs to one outside their catchment area. Members were of the opinion that a child should attend the nearest school and that a choice should not be available to a few families. Further consideration should be given to the reason for choices made. The Committee suggested that further discussion was needed on this issue.
Outcome:
· A report would be prepared detailing the Committee’s observations on the new Policy – this would be circulated for Member’s comments prior to it being submitted to Cabinet on 18th September 2018
Supporting documents: