Agenda item

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 appropriate, liaison with affected parties. Some of the proposed changes, which would continue to meet the Council’s statutory obligations, would include:

·  introducing more independent travel training opportunities

·  replacing, wherever possible, the current automatic provision of taxis with a pass to enable free travel on public transport

·  introducing a wider partnership approach to providing transport services

·  developing a more flexible approach in partnership with parents/carers

Discretionary provision - post 16 SEN home to school/college

·  agree that the proposed provisions of the new Children & Families Bill should be kept under review and any implications taken into account in the implementation of a new policy.

·  agree to the principle that in the first instance parents/carers not eligible for statutory support should be expected to organise and fund the transporting of their own children to school or college.

·  agree to support the proposal that the delivery of statutory low level need should continue to be re-modelled with the appropriate use of independent travel training, and, in order to be more efficient and cost effective, review the delivery method of all intermediate and complex need transport provision over the next twelve months.

·  agree that for those post 16-19 SEN students already attending school/college (including those due to start in September 2013) the current offer would remain in place for a further academic year (2013/14).

·  agree in principle that following a detailed assessment by Children’s Services, where it is deemed not possible for the parent or carer to transport their child/young person to school/college, and the provision of a taxi or similar is the only safe, cost-effective and appropriate way of transporting the child/young person, the authority would provide a personalised means-tested budget towards the cost of transportation.

·  agree that this budget should be provided on a means-tested basis only from September 2017, but phased in over a three year transitional period from September 2014 for all existing recipients. At this stage it is proposed that the budget could reasonably be set at a maximum of up to £5,000 per annum for all new means-tested applicants once the policy is approved, but this figure, and any proposed transitional arrangements, would first need to be considered and agreed by Executive Board.

·  agree that further detailed work should take place during 2013/14 in order to develop an implementation plan and establish robust eligibility criteria. It would be unwise for Executive Board to formally approve the changes to this part of the policy at this stage without detailed planning as it may lead to unintended consequences. Until Executive Board approval, therefore, this aspect of the new policy would remain as it is currently described in the current policy.

·  agree that the future proposals should continue to be developed and reported back to Executive Board with the relevant detail. The proposed model has been initially budgeted; the indications are that savings in the region of £1,250,000 in 2014/15 rising cumulatively to £2,000,000 in 2015/16 and £2,200,000 in 2016/17 would be achievable against the current spend of £2,600,000.

·  agree to preserve the current offer for existing students and new September entrants for a further year. This will allow the necessary planning to take place and also enable further discussion with service leads and strategic partners on the most sensible way of implementing any proposed changes.

·  agree that independent travel training would continue to be available during that time, including access to a valid pass for travel on public transport across West Yorkshire, paid for by the local authority.

Discretionary provision - faith transport

·  agree to provide discretionary transport for a further two years, until 31^st August 2015, for all those currently receiving 100% support.

·  agree that from 1^st September 2015 all discretionary transport provided solely on the basis of religion or belief, would be withdrawn.

·  agree that from 1^st October 2013 new applicants, who do not meet the requirements of the new policy for local authority support, will only be eligible to travel on the relevant service on a parent-to-pay basis. They would be advised to obtain a Young Person’s PhotoCard (often referred to as a half-fare pass).

Discretionary provision - post 16 mainstream home to school/college

·  agree to continue to fund post 16 mainstream discretionary transport for a further two years, until 31^st August 2015, for students who enrol on either a one or two year course for the academic year 2013/14.

·  agree that new applicants from 1^st October 2013 would be recommended to obtain a Scholar’s PhotoCard (often referred to as a half-fare fare pass) in order to travel on regular service provision at a discounted rate.

·  agree that from 1^st September 2015 all post 16 discretionary mainstream free transport would be withdrawn.

Discretionary provision - not the nearest school

·  agree to provide discretionary transport for a further two years, until 31^st August 2015, for all those currently receiving 100% support.

·  agree that from 1^st September 2015 all discretionary free transport provided, if it is not the nearest qualifying school, would be withdrawn.

·  agree that from 1^st October 2013 new applicants, who do not meet the requirements of the new policy for local authority support, will only be eligible to travel on the relevant service on a parent-to-pay basis. They would be advised to obtain a Young Person’s PhotoCard (often referred to as a half-fare fare pass).

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor A Carter required it to be recorded that he voted against the matters included within this minute)