Agenda item

11.1

The Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families submitted a report providing a summary of the responses to the consultation process on the proposal to discontinue the discretionary free bus passes that were currently provided under the current Home to School Transport Policy for attendance at Catholic Schools with effect from September 2013 and seeking approval on the preferred Option.

11.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet approves the phased withdrawal of discretionary free bus passes for travel to denominational schools under the discretionary scheme from September 2013 in line with Option 4 which is:

‘To withdraw all discretionary free bus passes to denominational schools from September 2013 except for those pupils in Years 10 and 11 during 2013/14 and Year 11 in 2014/15 who meet the existing discretionary criteria namely attendance at a denominational school, adherence to a specific denomination and meeting the statutory distance criteria.’

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

The Council’s position remains that it is facing extreme pressure on limited budgets and must make efficiencies to find £50 million of savings in this financial year with more savings to be found in future years. Within these constraints, the Council’s approach is to protect where possible those services provided for the most vulnerable people in our community and to examine where they spend on discretionary provision.

11.3.2

The Council’s funding of discretionary free bus passes for travel to denominational schools under the Home to School Transport Policy must therefore be reviewed in the light of the need to reduce expenditure and balanced against the Council’s responsibilities to maintain vital services for the most disadvantaged. Other Councils have taken similar action to discontinue their discretionary policies in the face of such budgetary pressures.

11.3.3

The addition of Option 3 in the current consultation clearly signalled the Council’s intention to mitigate against the loss of a bus pass for those most prejudicially affected, namely those on lower incomes and those entering Years 10 and 11. Having listened carefully to the feedback from the consultation, the recommendation to Cabinet was to reject all 3 options and approve the new Option 4.

11.3.4

The recommendation acknowledges the feedback from the consultation which showed strong support for Option 2 (83%) which was a phasing of the withdrawal of the discretionary free bus passes. The proposal outlined in Option 4 is a phased approach as well as being an expansion of the original Option 3. It also acknowledges that the majority of respondents (95%) thought that a transfer to another school would be disruptive and have a negative impact on educational outcomes. This proposal eliminates the need for any student entering Years 10 and 11 in 2013/14 and Year 11 in 2014/15 to have to transfer to another school as a result of losing the bus pass.

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

To approve either Option 1, 2 or 3 outlined in the report.

11.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

11.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

11.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Jayne Ludlam, Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families

11.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Children, Young People and Family Support

11.1

The Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families submitted a report providing a summary of the responses to the consultation process on the proposal to discontinue the discretionary free bus passes that were currently provided under the current Home to School Transport Policy for attendance at Catholic Schools with effect from September 2013 and seeking approval on the preferred Option.

11.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet approves the phased withdrawal of discretionary free bus passes for travel to denominational schools under the discretionary scheme from September 2013 in line with Option 4 which is:

‘To withdraw all discretionary free bus passes to denominational schools from September 2013 except for those pupils in Years 10 and 11 during 2013/14 and Year 11 in 2014/15 who meet the existing discretionary criteria namely attendance at a denominational school, adherence to a specific denomination and meeting the statutory distance criteria.’

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

The Council’s position remains that it is facing extreme pressure on limited budgets and must make efficiencies to find £50 million of savings in this financial year with more savings to be found in future years. Within these constraints, the Council’s approach is to protect where possible those services provided for the most vulnerable people in our community and to examine where they spend on discretionary provision.

11.3.2

The Council’s funding of discretionary free bus passes for travel to denominational schools under the Home to School Transport Policy must therefore be reviewed in the light of the need to reduce expenditure and balanced against the Council’s responsibilities to maintain vital services for the most disadvantaged. Other Councils have taken similar action to discontinue their discretionary policies in the face of such budgetary pressures.

11.3.3

The addition of Option 3 in the current consultation clearly signalled the Council’s intention to mitigate against the loss of a bus pass for those most prejudicially affected, namely those on lower incomes and those entering Years 10 and 11. Having listened carefully to the feedback from the consultation, the recommendation to Cabinet was to reject all 3 options and approve the new Option 4.

11.3.4

The recommendation acknowledges the feedback from the consultation which showed strong support for Option 2 (83%) which was a phasing of the withdrawal of the discretionary free bus passes. The proposal outlined in Option 4 is a phased approach as well as being an expansion of the original Option 3. It also acknowledges that the majority of respondents (95%) thought that a transfer to another school would be disruptive and have a negative impact on educational outcomes. This proposal eliminates the need for any student entering Years 10 and 11 in 2013/14 and Year 11 in 2014/15 to have to transfer to another school as a result of losing the bus pass.

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

To approve either Option 1, 2 or 3 outlined in the report.

11.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

11.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

11.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Jayne Ludlam, Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families

11.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Children, Young People and Family Support