To give approval for public consultation on the revised Policies for Travel Assistance for Children and Pupils Attending School and Post 16 Students.

1.         To authorise the Director of Children’s Services to commence a public consultation regarding the proposed changes to the Council’s policies relating to School Travel Assistance and Travel Assistance for Post 16 pupils, as set out in Appendices A and B to the report.

2.         That the key changes in the proposals are set out clearly in the consultation documents.

3.         That all parents and carers of children and young adults currently receiving school travel assistance are directly consulted.

4.         That a report be submitted to a future Executive meeting on the findings of the consultation.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills and the Executive Member for Community Services that sought approval of the proposed revised Travel Assistance Policies for public consultation. 

The Executive Member for Community Services amended the commencement date of the twelve week public consultation to following the Executive meeting and not 12 June 2017 as set out in the report.

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Community Services explained that where the Council placed a child outside of Central Bedfordshire the Council would be responsible for the associated cost, but where a parent chose to send their child to a school outside Central Bedfordshire it would be the parents responsibility to pay for the child’s transport. 

In the absence of any existing public or school contract transport to a pick up point, a fuel allowance of 17p per mile for a child over the age of 16 could be considered, providing the journey was over 3 miles.  An allowance of 36p a mile was being suggested for children under 16 where a mobility vehicle had been provided to the family of the child and specialist school transport was also being provided.

Reason for decision:  To ensure that the Council meets its statutory obligations and adopts a fair, equitable and transparent policy to support all pupils and their families.

RESOLVED

1.         to authorise the Director of Children’s Services to commence a public consultation regarding the proposed changes to the Council’s policies relating to School Travel Assistance and Travel Assistance for Post 16 pupils, as set out in Appendices A and B to the report;

2.         that the key changes in the proposals be set out clearly in the consultation documents;

3.         that all parents and carers of children and young adults currently receiving school travel assistance were directly consulted; and

4.         that a report be submitted to a future Executive meeting on the findings of the consultation.