Agenda item

(a)  That the mileage allowance be increased from 15p per mile to 45p per mile payable to parents who are able to transport their children to school when their child meets the eligibility criteria for home to school transport. This would bring the mileage allowance into line with the local authority rate and be reviewed annually.  This would be introduced with effect from 1 September 2016.

(b)  That the discretionary element of the home to school transport policy be removed, which provides transport for children under statutory school age who are in receipt of a statement for Special Educational Needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan or undergoing an assessment of their educational needs where they meet the criteria for transport. Given the notice period required to publicise this change the implementation date for this change would be 1 September 2017.

(c)  That the emphasis to promote independent travel for children and young people wherever possible be endorsed.

A report was considered seeking approval for proposed changes to the Home to School Transport Policy.  The policy had not been updated for some time and the changes aimed to promote independent travel; provide for annual reviews; increase the mileage allowance for parents and carers to 45 pence per mile; clarify provision for those aged 16-25; and remove the discretionary element for transport in future cases.

The rationale for the proposals was discussed and it was noted that the changes would promote the strategic objectives of independent travel and help to contain some of the rising costs of home to school transport.  Increasing the mileage rate would incentivise parents and carers to transport children to school and improve the experience for children currently using minibus provision.

Speaking under Rule 30, Councillor Brooker welcomed the measures to promote independent travel but asked the Cabinet to rethink the proposal to withdraw the discretionary element of transport for qualifying children below statutory school age on the basis that early help for children for children with special educational needs led to better outcomes.  It was responded the proposal related solely to the transport provided for future cases and would not impact on any child currently in receipt of such assistance.  There was no statutory requirement to provide transport for children below school age and a consultation had been carried out.  Savings made from the withdrawal of the discretionary element would help to offset the rising costs of transport for children of statutory school age.  The Cabinet carefully considered the points raised before decided to agree to the recommendation to remove the discretionary element.  If particular concerns arose following implementation than the policy could be reviewed.

Councillor Anderson raised several issues including whether the Council’s Environmental Quality Team had been consulted in relation to the potential for the changes to increase car use.  In response, it was stated that such consultation had not taken place but that they would be engaged to ensure consistency with the Council’s wider strategic approach to green travel.  It was also highlighted that it was likely that any increase in car use would be offset by a reduction in the use of taxis so the net impact was considered to be minimal.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Cabinet agreed the proposed changes to the Home to Schools Transport policy and that the impacts would be kept under review to ensure it met the strategic objectives set out.

Resolved –

(a)  That the mileage allowance be increased from 15p per mile to 45p per mile payable to parents who are able to transport their children to school when their child meets the eligibility criteria for home to school transport. This would bring the mileage allowance into line with the local authority rate and be reviewed annually.  This would be introduced with effect from 1 September 2016.

(b)  That the discretionary element of the home to school transport policy be removed, which provides transport for children under statutory school age who are in receipt of a statement for Special Educational Needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan or undergoing an assessment of their educational needs where they meet the criteria for transport. Given the notice period required to publicise this change the implementation date for this change would be 1 September 2017.

(c)  That the emphasis to promote independent travel for children and young people wherever possible be endorsed.