AGENDA ITEM 4

BOROUGH OF POOLE

CHILDREN’S SERVICES OVERVIEW GROUP

28 JANUARY 2008

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S INTEGRATED SERVICES ON HOME TO SCHOOL TRANSPORT

PART OF PUBLISHED FORWARD PLAN: NO

1. / PURPOSE OF REPORT
1.1 / The Children’s Services Overview Group at its meeting on 26 June 2007 considered a report on Home to School Transport (Minute CSO16.07 refers). The Overview Group felt that the proposed changes to the Home to School Transport Plan were acceptable but sought further clarification on the proposed Consultation Document prior to it being recommended to Council for approval. The Overview Group agreed that:
a)  the Home to School Transport Policy be approved; and
b)  consideration of the consultation on the future of discretionary transport to grammar and denominational schools be deferred to a future meeting.
This Report is to inform Members of the proposed content of the Consultation on Home to School Transport.
2. / DECISION REQUIRED
2.1 / That Cabinet be recommended to approve that the proposed consultation take place on the current provision of discretionary transport to Grammar and denominational schools for September 2009.
3. / BACKGROUND INFORMATION
3.1 / The Borough of Poole currently provides some discretionary transport assistance for parents who have a preference for their child to attend a grammar or denominational school. As of June 2007:
·  509 pupils were being transported to grammar schools at a cost of approximately £318,400
·  217 pupils were being transported to denominational schools at a cost of approximately £221,500.
3.2 / Members will be aware from the Report of 26 June 2007 that the Education and Inspections Act has placed new statutory transport duties on local authorities which will result in significant additional cost. To avoid recouping this cost via council tax, savings in discretionary areas of home to school transport must be explored.
3.3 / It has therefore been agreed that a consultation exercise should be undertaken to identify potential savings which could be made on discretionary home to school transport whilst still meeting parental and pupil need for a school transport network (especially for those on low incomes) and ensuring that the Borough’s aims for reducing use of private transport are not compromised.
3.4 / The proposal is that existing bus services to grammar and denominational schools should continue, but parents will be asked to make a contribution towards the cost of their children’s travel. This contribution would be waived for families on a low income ie eligible for free school meals or receiving the maximum level of Working Tax Credit.
4. / CONTENT OF CONSULTATION
4.1 / Guidance and good practice indicates that the local authority should consult widely, and consult directly with any person who might reasonably have expected to benefit from current arrangements.
4.2 / It has been agreed that any pupils currently receiving discretionary home to school transport to grammar or denominational schools will continue to do so until they leave the particular school they are attending.
4.3 / If the Borough of Poole’s home to school transport policy is amended as a result of the consultation, it will take effect from September 2009 – this allows for appropriate information to be circulated to parents in the autumn term 2008, prior to expressing a preference for their child’s school in the following academic year.
4.4 / Consultation documents will be made available to:
·  Headteachers/Chairs of Governors in all Poole secondary schools
·  Headteachers/Chairs of Governors in all Poole primary denominational schools
·  Headteachers/Chairs of Governors in any grammar or denominational school outside Poole which has pupils who benefit from the current discretionary arrangements.
·  Diocesan representatives
·  Parents of children who might reasonably have expected to benefit from current arrangements ie those who will be entering Year 6 in September 2007 and those in Year R to Year 5 in denominational primary schools.
·  Neighbouring Local Authorities.
4.5 / Advertisements inviting written representations from other members of the public will be placed in the Evening Echo, Advertiser, Poole News and on the Borough of Poole website. Full consultation documents will also be available on the website.
4.6 / Local transport operators will be invited to comment.
4.7 / Other Service Units who might be affected will be invited to comment eg Transportation Services.
4.8 / A public meeting will be held.
4.9 / Focus groups will be set up – further advice on this matter is being sought from Strategic Planning.
5.0 / A proposed questionnaire and letter to parents are attached as Appendix 1. The questionnaire includes an opportunity for respondents to express further comments in their own words.
6.0 / LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
6.1 / The Borough of Poole is obliged to implement the statutory requirements of the Education Act 1996 and the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
7.0 / FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
7.1 / Members will be aware that the new statutory duties placed on local authorities will result in increased cost. Potential savings need to be identified in discretionary areas to offset these costs and avoid passing them on to the council tax payer.
8.0 / POLICY FRAMEWORK IMPLICATIONS
8.1 / Depending on the outcome of the consultation there may be a requirement to amend the existing home to school transport policy.

VICKY WALES

HEAD OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S INTEGRATED SERVICES

Background papers:

The Education Act 1996

The Education and Inspections Act 2006

Officer contact:

Linda Gibbs (Transport Officer)

Telephone: 01202 261939

E-mail:

2 November 2007