Agenda Item No

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Cabinet Meeting: 4th November 2009

Director of Learning and Development

Transport Arrangements for Learners Aged 16-19

Purpose of the Report

1.             To seek Cabinet's approval to consult with stakeholders on the removal of free transport for students over compulsory school age.

Recommendations

1.             That Cabinet approves commencement of consultation on the option of replacing free transport for students over compulsory school age with a travel grant (Option 2) from September 2010.

2.             That a report on the outcome of the consultation exercise be presented to Cabinet in January 2010.

Reasons for the Recommendations

1.             There is a legal requirement to consult affected parties regarding changes to the Council's Home to School Transport Policy and specifically in relation to post 16 transport arrangements.

2.             Cabinet should be briefed on the results of consultation prior to considering amendments to the Home to School Transport Policy.

Background

2.             Given the cost pressures facing the Council in future years and the need to identify significant savings it is imperative that discretionary services are reviewed.

3.             The statutory requirement on local authorities is to provide free transport for pupils receiving primary education who reside more than 2 miles from the nearest school, and for pupils receiving secondary education who live more than 3 miles from the nearest suitable school up to the age of 16.  There is no requirement to provide transport for pupils who are not of statutory age.

4.             The provision of transport for post 16 students attending school sixth forms and Further Education establishments is discretionary.  If an authority wishes to change its transport policy, adequate consultation should be undertaken with schools and parents likely to be affected by any proposal to withdraw or reduce provision before reaching a decision.

5.             The Welsh Assembly Government advises that changes to policy should be introduced at the start of an academic year.  In addition, it is further advised that changes should not apply to students who have already commenced their post 16 education since their decision to continue their education beyond compulsory school age would have been made in part on the fact that free transport was available at the time.

Relevant Issues and Options

6.             A third of local authorities in Wales have removed the entitlement to free post 16 transport and in the majority of cases continue to provide some assistance in the form of a travel grant or concessionary fare scheme.  Other authorities are currently considering the removal of free post 16 transport (Appendix 1).

7.             Many students are eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance which is a Welsh Assembly Government funded scheme providing young people who wish to continue in education after school leaving age with an incentive to earn awards through good attendance and achieving agreed objectives.  Depending upon household income students can get £10, £20 or £30 weekly which can be used to cover day to day costs.  Examples of day to day costs provided on the Student Finance Wales website include travel, books and equipment.

8.             Using its discretionary powers, the Vale of Glamorgan Council provides free transport for post 16 learners who reside more than three miles from the nearest suitable school, catchment area school or preferred FE establishment.

9.             Post 16 students who qualify for free transport and attend FE establishments are generally provided with a bus pass to travel on the local service network whilst those attending schools are provided with contracted vehicles in the main.

10.        The Vale currently provides free transport for 1,310 post 16 students.

11.        Options for post 16 transport arrangements and associated issues are outlined in Appendix 2 to this report.  The issues listed are by no means exhaustive but are intended to give Members a flavour of some of the matters that will be raised during consultation.

12.        The Planning and Transportation Policy Section has highlighted the need to consider wider environmental and sustainability issues arising from any future changes to the Home to School Transport Policy.  In addition, it is suggested that Cabinet note that under the recommended option some post 16 pupils may not be able to easily travel to appropriate sixth form or college provision by public transport.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

13.        The Learning and Development Directorate is required to find £3,067,000 savings over the next 2 financial years.  The proposed change to the post 16 transport arrangements would generate in the region of £110,000 savings in 2010/11 and £225,000 per annum from 2011/12 onwards.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

14.        The Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 outlines statutory responsibilities in respect of home to school transport arrangements.  There is a statutory duty to provide free transportation for pupils of compulsory school age only.  Local authorities have a duty to consult on any proposed changes to the provision of post 16 transport with the schools, parents and other relevant parties.  WAG guidance also recommends that pupils be involved in any consultation exercise.

Crime and Disorder Implications

15.        There are no crime and disorder Implications.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

16.        None at this stage.

Corporate/Service Objectives

17.        Rationalisation of post 16 transport is identified as an area for potential savings in the budget review approved by Cabinet in February 2009.

18.        The review of post 16 transport is an objective within the Strategic Planning and Performance service plan.

Policy Framework and Budget

19.        This is a matter for Executive decision by the Cabinet.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

20.        The recommendation in this report is to proceed to the consultation stage.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

21.        Lifelong Learning.

Background Papers

None.

Contact Officer

Paula Ham

Head of Strategic Planning and performance

01446 7091461

Officers Consulted

Director of Finance, ICT and Property

Operational Manager, Planning and Transportation

Senior Transportation Officer, Planning and Transportation

Responsible Officer:

Bryan Jeffreys

Director of Learning and Development