To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors EMK Chave, DW Greenow, RC Hunt, TM James, Brig P Jones CBE and RL Mayo.  Apologies had also been received from Miss E Lowenstein.

To receive details of Members nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee.

PGH Cutter for DW Greenow

JLV Kenyon for EMK Chave

To receive any declarations of interest by Members.

The Chairman stated that if Members had declared a governorship of a school on their Declarations of Interest, it would be taken that Members had already declared an interest in the item.

Councillor EPJ Harvey declared a non-pecuniary interest.

To note questions received from the public in relation to the call-in of the Cabinet decision on Changes to Herefordshire Schools and Post 16 Transport Policy.

(Questions must be restricted to the grounds for the call-in - see pages 8/9 - and must be received no later than 5.00pm on Friday, 10 January 2014.  Please forward such questions to the officer named on the front of the agenda by this deadline.)

The Chairman reported that there had been 86 questions from members of the public and the responses to these questions would form the core of the debate.

The Chairman welcomed members of the public and outlined the remit of Scrutiny.   Scrutiny could not overturn Cabinet decisions but could send recommendations back to Cabinet for consideration.   Cabinet may or not may alter their decision.

The Chairman formally thanked Gemma Dean and Ben Baugh on behalf of the Committee for the work which they had undertaken in arranging the call in.

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.