Agenda item

-        Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services to report.

Further to Minute No. 72 of 21^st September, 2011, Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity, reported on the result of the consultation and proposals necessary to achieve financial savings.

Consultation had been undertaken with regard to the following being discontinued and financial savings realised:-

-        Discretionary transport for under fives

-        Discretionary denominational transport

-        Post-16 transport

Consultation on all 3 areas had been commenced on 19^th November, 2011 and ended on 20^th January, 2012.  The proposals were now:-

-        Children under five

It was proposed that only children under five who had physical and medical difficulties preventing them access public transport continue to be assessed for eligibility for transport provision.  Where transport was provided a charge would be introduced by September, 2012, calculated according to existing means tested benefit entitlement

-        Children attending faith schools

Pupils attending denominational schools on the basis of their religion or belief which was not their nearest appropriate school and who were not from “low income” families

-        Post-16 learners

Those post-16 who had physical and medical difficulties preventing them accessing public transport would continue to be assessed for eligibility for transport provision for which a charge would be introduced by September, 2012.  Calculation of charges remained to be finalised but details would be included in the Post-16 Education Transport Policy to be submitted at a later date

(1)  Resolved:-  (a)  That the current provision of discretionary free transport for under fives and post-16 learners be discontinued by the end of July, 2012.

(b)  That the current provision of discretionary free transport for primary and secondary learners attending denominational schools be discontinued on a phase basis commencing September, 2013.

(c)  That under fives and post-16 learners be assessed and reviewed for eligibility to transport assistance based upon mobility and medical needs and that charges be introduced by September, 2012 for those who qualified, with due regard to the Equality Act 2010.

(d)  That the new Post-16 Education Transport Policy be submitted to Cabinet at a later date prior to publication in April, 2012.

(e)  That remaining statutory obligations be met.

Recommended:-  (2)  That the Draft Home to School Transport Policy – April, 2012, be adopted for publication in April, 2012.