1.         That the Home to School Transport Policy, attached at Appendix A to the report, be adopted and applied to all transport provided from 1 September 2014, without phasing in the new policy.

2.         To delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Children’s Services, to approve any subsequent minor variations to the Home to School Transport Policy.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Children’s Services that set out the proposed Home to School Transport Policy for Central Bedfordshire from September 2014.  The proposed policy was designed to improve the application process and the way in which transport was provided.  It had not been designed to secure financial efficiencies or to reduce the eligibility criteria.

In a response to a question, the Executive Member for Children’s Services explained that this Policy did not preclude taking account of the impact of possible schools closures.

Reason for decisions:  To ensure that the Council meets its statutory obligations and adopts a fair, equitable and transparent policy to support all pupils and their families and that could be implemented within the available resources.

RESOLVED 

1.         that the Home to School Transport Policy, attached at Appendix A to the report be adopted, to apply to all transport provided from 1 September 2014, without phasing the new policy in; and

2.         to delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Children’s Services, to approve any subsequent minor variations to the Home to School Transport Policy.