Agenda Item No. 13
THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL
CABINET MEETING: 25TH JULY,
2007
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL
AND ECONOMIC REGENERATION
HOME TO SCHOOL TRANSPORT POLICY AND
MONITORING UPDATE 2007
Purpose of Report
1. To advise
Cabinet of the intended changes to the Home to School Transport
Policy and obtain approval for their formal adoption into the main
body of the policy.
Background
2. The Policy was
formally adopted by Cabinet for the academic year commencing
September 2005.
3.
However, a number of minor changes are now proposed to enable the
Council to provide the best service possible, and to react to
queries raised during the course of the past academic year.
4. Policy changes
were also required following academic year 2005/06 and an addendum
was approved following a report to Cabinet, 15th
February 2006. It is also intended to build these changes
into the main body of the report along with the additional changes
identified this year. To this extent a full copy of the
Policy for the Provision of Home to School Transport is attached to
this report and the suggested changes shown in bold.
Relevant Issues and Options
5. The Policy for
the Provision of Home to School Transport currently fails to
identify that transport will only be provided to the next nearest
school when the nearest is at capacity and admission has been
refused. Whilst this does appear obvious, it is nevertheless
proposed that a short statement to this effect be incorporated into
the policy. It is also proposed that the policy also be amended to
clarify the position with regards to siblings attending the same
school, which may not be the nearest available school. In such
instances the existing arrangements, which do not provide free home
to school transport are maintained and clarified.
6. Whilst the
current policy bans smoking on School Transport, it fails to
mention the new legislation in respect of the “The Smoke Free
Premises etc. (Wales) Regulations 2007”, which can strengthen the
existing policy, as offenders should also be reported to the
Councils Environmental Health Officer who can then take further
action in line with legislation if required. This would be
applicable to anyone onboard a vehicle being used for School
Transport. It is therefore proposed that all current policy
statements identified in the report are updated to reflect the new
legislation and additional actions that will be taken when persons
smoking on School Transport services are identified.
7. The Council is
trialling photograph passes at certain locations in 2007/08 and
pupils may be requested to provide portrait photographs.
However, where possible the photograph will be obtained from the
school. It is therefore proposed that a short statement
advising of intentions be included to formally identify why
officers may be requesting photographs.
8.
Following the severe weather conditions in February 2007 when snow
affected local transport, problems arose when one school refused to
allow children to leave when the school transport was provided
early due to worsening conditions. In this instance, the operator
had advised the Council Transport Unit that transport could only be
guaranteed if provided early. It is therefore proposed that
the current policy be amended to advise that in such conditions the
decision on whether or not and when transport can be provided will
ultimately lie with the operator.
9. The policy does
not clearly identify that parents/guardians are responsible for the
payment of replacement bus passes that are lost under any
circumstances, which has led to a small number of disputes.
It is therefore proposed that there be an addition to the current
policy to clarify this point and remove the possibility for
dispute.
10.
Another area requiring clarification relates to the position with
regards to the provision of either free school transport for pupils
who reside outside the Vale of Glamorgan or the sale of spare
capacity seats to such pupils. The Council’s position is that
we do not permit either of these options. However, it may on
occasions be possible enter into a cross boundary agreement with
another neighbouring Authority to assist with any legal obligation
that they may have, providing there is no additional financial
implications for this Authority. It is therefore proposed
that a statement along these lines be adopted.
11. A need
for clarification in the policy has been identified following a
recent complaint when a primary school child was not met from the
bus in the afternoon by her parent or a guardian. In line
with drivers/escort training the operator telephoned the Council’s
Transportation Unit and were advised by officers that the child
should remain on the bus, whilst other arrangements could be made
for the safe collection of the primary school child. This was
following the operator having checked at the child’s address and
obtained no response. In this instance the child’s
school met and took responsibility for the child at the end of the
service journey and returned her to her father. If this had not
been possible the child would have been taken to the nearest police
station for continued safe keeping. Following this incident it had
been noted that the policy itself did not clearly identify this
procedure, which was instead rehearsed in the Drivers/Escort
Training section of the document. It is therefore proposed
that the policy document is amended to accurately reflect the
course of action to be taken, in line with the “Drivers/Escorts
Training Manual”.
12. A
final need for an addition to the policy has been identified
because a few schools took it upon themselves to try and rearrange
their school transport schedules on certain days to accommodate
their sports days, which were being held elsewhere (e.g. Jenner
Park). This had the potential to cause confusion and
additional financial cost to the Council’s School/Public Transport
budgets. Therefore, it is proposed that an additional
statement is included to advise schools that any changes to
schedules should be undertaken through the Councils Transport Unit
and any addition financial costs that the operator may require must
be paid for by the school directly.
Resource Implications (Financial and
Employment)
13. There
are no immediate financial implications, with the exception of
costs relating to the reprinting and distribution of an updated
policy to all those concerned.
14. The
proposal in paragraph 12 above (i.e. prevention of schools from
altering service schedules directly with the operator) would remove
the potential for additional financial implications to the
Council’s School and Public Transport budgets.
Legal Implications (to include Human Rights
Implications)
15. The
provision of school transport is a statutory obligation under the
Education Acts 1944 and 1996.
Crime and Disorder Implications
16. The
Policy for Home to School Transport assists in providing a safe
environment for children to travel between home and school.
Equal Opportunities Implications (to include
Welsh Language Issues)
17. The
provision of a well organised school bus service will increase
mobility and accessibility in respect of school journeys.
The policy will be produced in Welsh, as well
as English.
Corporate/Service Objectives
18. To
provide a safe, reliable, efficient and value for money school bus
service.
Policy Framework and Budget
19. This
report is a matter for Executive Decision by Cabinet.
Consultation (Including Ward Member
Consultation)
20. The
Cabinet Members for Planning and Transport and Learning &
Development have been consulted on this report.
Appropriate Scrutiny Committee
21.
Economy and Environment
RECOMMENDATIONS
(1) That
the Policy for the Provision of Home to School Transport be amended
to include the various references, as laid out in the report.
(2) That
copies of the document be issued to all schools for
information.
Reasons for Recommendations
(1) To
ensure a safe, fair and consistent approach in providing school
transport in the Vale of Glamorgan.
(2) To
ensure that the policy is effectively communicated to schools.
Background Papers
Appendix A (PDF) – Updated version of
the Home to School Transport Policy (changes have been identified
in bold type).
Contact Officer: Andrew Eccleshare – Planning
and Transportation
Telephone No. 01446 704637.
Officers Consulted:
Director Learning & Development
Head of Strategy & Performance
Principal Officer, School Support
Strategic Planning & Performance
Officer
Senior Planner (Transportation)
Legal Services – Committee Reports
Rob Quick
Director of Environmental
and Economic Regeneration