Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services presenting the outcome of the recent public consultation on the current Children’s Services Home to School Transport Policy and which makes recommendations for proposed inclusion within a new policy, which is presented to the Executive Board for the purposes of approval.

Further to Minute No. 189, 15^th February 2013, the Director of Children’s Services submitted a report presenting the outcome of the recent public consultation exercise undertaken in respect of the current Children’s Services Home to School Transport Policy.  In acknowledging the results from the consultation exercise, the report detailed recommendations for proposed inclusion within a new policy, which was presented as Appendix 1 to the submitted report for consideration.

In presenting the report, the Executive Member for Children’s Services emphasised the extent of the consultation exercise which had been undertaken, the fact that the comprehensive review had covered all elements of the delivery of the free children’s transport provision and how the review had aimed to explore ways in which the Council might work better with key partners in order to improve overall provision in support of Leeds’ ambition to be a Child Friendly City. Specifically, it was confirmed that the proposed policy would continue to ensure that children and young people who were eligible under the extended statutory eligibility criteria for low income families and geographical criteria would continue to receive home to school transport paid for by the local authority.

It was noted that should the recommendations within the report be approved, then an implementation group of key partners would be formed to ensure that a robust decision making pathway was established.

A concern was raised regarding the potential impact that the proposal to withdraw all discretionary transport provided solely on the basis of religion or belief from September 2015 may have on those young people who would be part way through their education at this time. In addition, a concern was also raised regarding the potential impact that the overall proposals in respect of discretionary provision may have in 2015, when the proposed new policy would be fully phased in. 

Having taken all of the points raised during the discussion on this item into consideration, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the extent of the consultation on changes to the current home to school transport policy be noted.

(b)  That the legal implications and risk management sections of the submitted report be noted.

(c)  That the specific agreement of key partners (e.g. College Principals, Metro, faith partners, and school heads) to work with the Local Authority on the implementation of the new policy over the next two years as it is fully phased in, be noted.

(d)  That the receipt of a petition submitted on behalf of a faith group wishing the authority to retain current provision be noted.

(e)   That the draft policy entitled, ‘Leeds Children’s Services Transport

Policy’, as appended to the submitted report be approved. 

(f)   That the following specific recommendations be approved:-

Statutory provision

Approval be given to a fundamental remodelling of all statutory provision where it is safe to do so. This would take place following individual assessment of need. There is no intention to make any immediate changes to how statutory services are provided without proper assessment and, where  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56