Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Learning seeking a decision on whether to remove all discretionary funding for all pupils with effect from September 2011, or new pupils and whether to introduce a graded fare charging system for post-16. 

The City Council needs to make very substantial reductions in expenditure over the coming years to ensure that the budget remains balanced.

(i)  To retain discretionary Special Education Needs (SEN) early years transport provision to Weston Shore, whilst a full cost benefit review and options appraisal is undertaken.

(ii)  To retain current SEN primary and secondary transport provision.

(iii)  From September 2012, for ‘new’ mainstream primary and mainstream secondary pupils, to offer the statutory minimum. Therefore, no change in current policy for the 2011-12 academic year.

(iv)  Having had regard to the duty under s.509AD of the Education Act 1996 to remove all discretionary assistance for ‘new’ pupils for travel to faith schools from September 2012. Therefore, no change in current policy for the 2011-12 academic year.

(v)  To remove assistance for those who move school in year 10 / 11 from September 2011.

(vi)  To remove all post-16 assistance for ‘new’ mainstream students attending a mainstream establishment from September 2011, whilst undertaking a review of personal budgets and the possible introduction of a ‘local payment’.

(vii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services and Learning to finalise the text of the Home to School Transport Policies for 2011-12 and 2012-13 for publication.

1. The only options considered regarded non-statutory assistance.
2. The recommendations put forward are as a result of officer and Cabinet Member consideration of the public consultation responses.
3. It is considered inequitable to introduce immediate changes for those currently attending schools and colleges as families will have made decisions based on current policy.

The option not to review the Home to School and Post -16 Transport Policy was considered and rejected due to the need to balance the transport budget from 2011-12 and introduce wider efficiencies for the coming years.