To review the Cabinet decision on Changes to Herefordshire Schools and Post 16 Transport Policy.

Councillors Harvey, Swinford and Seldon outlined their grounds for call in which are listed in the agenda.

The Director for Children’s Wellbeing and Head of Education Development gave a presentation which is attached to the minutes.

In response to questions from Members in attendance:

•        The Director clarified that the council is not forcing parents to change the decision of where they send their children, but parents will need to decide whether they can afford to send their child to the school which they chose.  There is work underway to look at all the methods in which the costs to parents can be reduced via a range of different methods as outlined in presentation.  It was stressed that the proposals in connection with post 16 SEN travel was not for full cost recovery but for a contribution and that the council understands that each student will have different needs.  The Council is looking at all bursaries which are available.

•        Head of Transportation and Access confirmed that the transport teams are now integrated and that work is in progress to offer a wider range of services from September 2014.  The Council will be talking to headteachers and operators about these.

•        Head of Education Development explained that the budget savings assumptions were based on Herefordshire losing 40% of affected children rather than 100% to out of county schools as it was felt unreasonable to assume that all parents would decide to send their children to the nearest school which was outside of Herefordshire.  He also explained that Herefordshire did import students from other counties as well.

•        Cabinet Member for Young People and Children’s Wellbeing explained that partnership working between the Council, schools and parents already happens and cited John Kyrle High School and Sixth Form College as an example.  The Director for Children’s Wellbeing said that there should be a commitment to working together which strives to achieve a combined transport policy which is beneficial to all.

•        The Director for Children’s Wellbeing explained that there were two different bursaries which were available to post 16 SEN pupils.  One was individual and the other needed to be applied through the relevant school.  The budget for this type of funding, which could include assistance with post 16 SEN transport had transferred to school sixth forms and colleges.  The awarding of bursaries was based on individual need.  A right of appeal would remain in place for those parents who cannot afford the travel costs.  The Director also confirmed that work needed to be done to ensure that parents were aware of these bursaries and identifying appropriate support.  The Director suggested that the committee look at the range of bursaries available as part of their work programme.

•        The Head of Education Development confirmed that the school transport and Post 16 SEN transport policies operated by other local authorities were looked at.  He acknowledged that it was unfortunate that inaccurate information was presented in connection with the policies in operation in Worcestershire,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65

To consider changes to the Council’s home to school transport policy such that it provides the statutory minimum requirement of free transport and;

To consider changes to the Council’s school transport policy such that post 16 SEN students pay the same charge as all other students.

The Cabinet Member, Young People and Children’s Wellbeing introduced the report of the Head of Sufficiency and Capital Commissioning, which set out proposals for changes to the discretionary transport policies.

Councillor Millar reported that the council’s current subsidy to the cost of school transport exceeded its statutory responsibility, and that the council’s financial position was such that it could no longer deliver services over the statutory minimum. The council had consulted widely on the proposals, and had made concessions on the proposals in response to feedback. Councillor Millar explained that alternative sources of funding were available for post-16 students.

In response to questions from Councillor Harvey and Councillor Matthews, Councillor Millar explained that secondary schools could work with feeder schools to seek ways to mitigate any adverse effects. The Interim Head of Service, Children’s Wellbeing, reported that Herefordshire was a net importer of pupils from other counties, and would continue to be even if all those affected by the changes were to choose schools outside the county. He reported that there were a number of schools with places available, should the nearest suitable school be full. 

Councillor Millar explained that the council was currently providing services in excess of the statutory minimum, and that this created inequalities. The savings from the proposal were substantial, and the change would clarify policy and minimise future risk.

In response to a question from Councillor Seldon, the Solicitor to the Council reported that, if there was  a legal challenge to the proposals in relation to post-16 students, he was satisfied that in all the circumstances the council was acting reasonably and thus lawfully.

In response to questions from Councillor Powers, Councillor Millar reported that colleges had discretion to award bursaries to any child in genuine need. He explained that staff dealing with education and those dealing with transport would, in the future, be working together and could be better able to deal jointly with any issues that arose, and to consider school transport issues as part of the wider public and community transport policies.

Councillor Johnson, Leader of the Council, reported that, should the proposals be approved, the Cabinet would continue to monitor the situation and seek to work with schools.

RESOLVED:  That Cabinet agrees the recommendation(s) to:

(a)      withdraw the Herefordshire free home to school transport policy eligibility based upon nearest and catchment school and replace with eligibility based upon:

i)       nearest suitable school with places,

ii)      in England;

(b)      continue to provide the Herefordshire free home to school transport policy eligibility based upon nearest and catchment school only for those pupils entering Y10 or in Y11 at their current school on 1 September 2014 so they may complete their study programmes;

(c)       continue to charge parents for a seat on a school bus (because the child is not eligible for free transport) but reduce the Council’s subsidy by increasing annual charge by £60 (£1.58 a week) from £660 to £720 (£17.36 - £ 18.95)  in September 2014 and to  annually review  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59