Agenda item

(a)  Agreed the proposed policy changes for Home to School Travel (5-16) with effect from the 2023/24 academic year with transitional arrangements in place for the academic year 2022/23 (Appendix 1).

(b)  Agreed the proposed policy changes for Home to College Travel (Post 16) (Appendix 2) with effect from the 2023/24 academic year with transitional arrangements in place for the academic year 2022/23.

(c)  Delegated authority to Executive Director of People (Children), in consultation with Lead Member for Children Services and the Executive Director of Finance and Commercial, to make minor amendments to the policy, including uprating the contribution charges and bursary levels to take account of inflationary pressures, subject to any changes being within the approved budget.

The Lead Member for Transport and the Local Environment introduced a report that proposed the approval of revised policies for home to school travel assistance for both age groups 5-16 and post-16.  The policies had been subject to an extensive consultation exercise and had been considered by the People Scrutiny Panel.  The key consultation and scrutiny feedback was detailed in the report.

The principles of the revised policies were to promote social integration, independence, parental responsibility, collaboration between schools and the promotion of environmentally sustainable travel.  The policy changes and responses to the points raised by scrutiny were summarised by the Associate Director for Education & Inclusion.  It was noted that the proposed policy changes were estimated to contribute £210,000 of savings towards the service areas savings plan of £550,000 by the end of 2024/25.

Lead Members welcomed the revised policies and carefully considered the consultation feedback.  It was noted that the home to school travel assistance for most children would be unchanged under the new policies and that the measures such as independent travel training and a travel bursary option would help families make their own arrangements for their child’s attendance at school or college.  The Cabinet highlighted the importance of ensuring the safeguarding considerations were taken into account when more independent travel options were being provided.

After due consideration, the Cabinet approved the recommendations.

Resolved –

(a)  Agreed the proposed policy changes for Home to School Travel (5-16) with effect from the 2023/24 academic year with transitional arrangements in place for the academic year 2022/23 (Appendix 1).

(b)  Agreed the proposed policy changes for Home to College Travel (Post 16) (Appendix 2) with effect from the 2023/24 academic year with transitional arrangements in place for the academic year 2022/23.

(c)  Delegated authority to Executive Director of People (Children), in consultation with Lead Member for Children Services and the Executive Director of Finance and Commercial, to make minor amendments to the policy, including uprating the contribution charges and bursary levels to take account of inflationary pressures, subject to any changes being within the approved budget.