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JOINT MEETING OF THE EDUCATION AND SKILLS CABINET PANEL AND THE HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT CABINET PANEL
1 APRIL 2011
M I N U T E S
ATTENDANCE
MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION AND SKILLS CABINET PANEL
R H Beeching, C L Berry, N K Brook (substitute for M S Crawley), T L F Douris (Vice-Chairman), M J Frearson, T C Heritage, F R G Hill, T W Hone (substitute for J K Maddern), A F Hunter, B J Lamb (substitute for C A Mitchell), S J Taylor (substitute for N Bell), R A C Thake (Chairman, Executive Member for Education and Skills), M A Watkin
Parent-Governor/Church Representative (Voting)
N Betteley
MEMBERS OF THE HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT CABINET PANEL
D Andrews, G F Button, R F Cheswright, G R Churchard, M Cowan, W E Eynon,
S B A F H Giles-Medhurst, T C Heritage (Vice- Chairman), A F Hunter, M D R Muir,
S O’Brien, S J Pile (Chairman), S J Taylor (substitute for N Bell)
Also present:
P Browning (substitute for J Reynolds), S Milligan, W A Storey, D Williams
Upon consideration of the agenda for the joint meeting of the Education and Skills Cabinet Panel and Highways and Transport Cabinet Panel on 1 April 2011 as circulated, copy annexed, conclusions were reached and are recorded below:
Note: No conflicts of interest were declared by any member of the Panel in relation to the matters on which conclusions were reached at this meeting.
PART 1
ACTION1 / APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN
R A C Thake was appointed Chairman for the duration of this meeting.
2 / PUBLIC PETITIONS
There were no public petitions.
3 / FUTURE SCHOOL BUS NETWORK
[Officer contact: Sarah Vize, Transport Strategy & Policy Manager
Tel: 01992 555414
John Sykes, Business Manager
Tel 01992 555616]
3.1 / The Panel considered a report outlining the principles developed to support the future school bus network and the plan to consult on a phased basis. The report also provided details of the transition arrangements in place to position the local authority as a commissioner of school transport rather than a provider and how this would inform the consultations on the future school bus network.
3.3 / Members enquired about the timescale for papers to be issued before the Cabinet Panel meetings in September and highlighted the need for Members to have sufficient time to read the papers. It was noted that the timetable of communications and collection of data had been planned to ensure there would be sufficient data included in the Cabinet Panel report.
3.5 / With regard to co-ordinating transport arrangements between schools, it was noted that some small schools in rural areas may find this difficult. The Panel acknowledged that, although there may be more impact on primary school children, there could be greater coherence when the network between schools had been created.
3.6 / There was discussion of behaviour management of school children on buses and it was noted that the new Education Bill would give schools the power to address children’s behaviour on their journeys to and from school.
3.7 / The importance of actively encouraging schools to work together in clusters and share transport and expertise was highlighted. Members noted that schools would not necessarily need to have the same drop off and pick up times, which could allow one bus to be used for several schools and therefore potentially improve congestion.
3.8 / Members highlighted the importance of the communications strategy and noted that there was ongoing communication with headteachers of schools that are expected to be most affected. Members noted that it was essential to ensure that parents understood all aspects of the policy and how it may affect them through clear communication and without oversimplification. A helpline number would be set up for parents to call for advice. It was suggested that officers liaise with parent-governor representatives when drafting the communication to parents.
3.10 / Members highlighted the fact that some families may be affected by significant additional costs as a result of the implementation of this policy. The possibility of allowing parents to pay transport costs on a monthly basis rather than as a lump sum was suggested.
3.12 / Members suggested and discussed the idea that schools or communities running bus routes could use any profits to contribute towards the cost of transport for families in need of financial support. It was noted that the County Council would not be able to control this, as this would have to be implemented by the school or community responsible for running the routes.
Conclusions
3.15 / The Panel made the following recommendations to Cabinet:
(i) / That Cabinet authorises the Director Children, Schools & Families and Director Environment & Commercial Services to consult (in accordance with the arrangements and timetable set out in section 8 of the report) on the proposed principles, framework and scope for the future school bus network.
(ii) / That Cabinet authorises the Director Children, Schools & Families and Director Environment & Commercial Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Education and Skills and the Executive Member for Highways and Transport,to finalise the consultation plan and documents.
(iii) / That, following consultation, in the September 2011 cycle of meetings the Directors Children, Schools & Families and Environment & Commercial Servicesreport back to the Education and Skills and Highway and Transport Cabinet Panels and Cabinet with recommendations concerning the future school bus network to be introduced by September 2012.
(iv) / That Cabinet is also asked to note that there could be changes arising sooner to school bus routes, should this arise from negotiations where services can continue to be provided through registration of routes by commercial operator(s).
Kathryn Pettitt
Chief Legal Officer
1010411 Joint Education & Skills and Highways & Transport Cabinet Panel Minutes