Agenda item

The Council considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources regarding consideration of the Executive Decision made on 14 June 2023 in respect of Home to School Transport Services – Consultation Outcomes for which Call-in was exercised and considered at the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board meeting held on 28 June 2023 (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services presented the report and outlined the procedure to be followed for the debate, explaining that the usual Rules of Debate would apply.

The Chair invited the Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services to provide background and context to the decision made by Cabinet on 14 June 2023.  Members had no questions for the Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services.

Councillor R Crute, Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (COSMB) informed Council that the decision made by Cabinet at its meeting held on 14 June 2023 with respect to the Home to School Transport Policy was referred to COSMB in line with the Constitution and the Council’s procedure for Call-in.  At the COSMB meeting held on 28 June 2023 a number of comments were made about the Cabinet decision but specifically in relation to the proposed increase in concessionary travel fares with many Members expressing concerns about the impact this would have on some households already struggling with the ongoing cost of living crisis, record levels of Council Tax combined with rising mortgage costs caused by a prolonged period of high interest rates.  Following a vote at COSMB a decision was made to refer the matter to Council for deliberation.  In accordance with Council Procedure Rules and for a debate to take place a Motion was needed to be moved and seconded.  Councillor Crute Moved:

That this Council requests Cabinet to reconsider its decision made on 14 June in relation to Home to School Transport on the grounds set out in Paragraph 16 of the report to Council.

In Seconding the Motion Councillor S Deinali informed the Council that although only nine schools would be impacted by the uplift to £2 many residents in the communities surrounding the schools would be impacted.  County Durham had some of the most disadvantaged areas in the United Kingdom, and while some families were eligible for free transport there were those who were on the breadline, low income working households who were not eligible for benefits and not eligible for free transport.  These were the families who would be impacted most.  In addition to concerns about the uplift, recommendations to move away from single person transport to collective hubs and the move to personal budgets were also a concern.  The extra stress and pressure on families could have an immense impact causing distress and unnecessary disruption.  Councillor Deinali considered that the decisions made by Cabinet had not been fully thought through with regards to the level of impacts on families in County Durham.

Councillor C Lines, Vice-Chair of COSMB informed Council that he had followed the review of Home to School Transport as it had progressed and had the opportunity to contribute to the review through the consultation, through the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee and twice at Cabinet.  Councillor Lines felt that the call-in request contained a glaring inaccuracy about the uplift and failed to outline how the decision did not adhere to the principles of decision making as set out at Article 10 of the Council’s Constitution.  The Cabinet decision was neither contrary to the Council’s Policy Framework nor not wholly consistent with the Council’s budget.

Councillor O Gunn considered free and easily accessible school transport was a lifeline for many young people and families in County Durham.  There were significant financial pressures on the Council and there was a need to address financial priorities, however it was clear from the recommendations for Home to School Transport that for the Cabinet, Home to School transport was not a priority.

Councillor L Mavin informed Council that the current model for home to school transport was financially unsustainable with increased costs from £14m in 2019/20 to £29m in 2023/24, more than 100% increase.  Increasing demand had put additional strain on available resources.   Growing populations, changing demographics and more students now required transport assistance leading to higher costs for the Council including the need for additional vehicles and drivers.  There was no requirement for this decision to be sent back to Cabinet because a fully costed proposal had already been agreed.

Councillor C Fletcher presented the views of the Belmont Student Council Democratic Group who considered that the suggested walking route from Sherburn to the Belmont Community School building through Renny’s Lane to Birkdale Gardens was unsafe and unsuitable for children aged 11 to 16.  The alternative route was also unsafe due to the lack of a footpath next to the Road B1283.  The Democratic Group had requested that Council reconsider the report and Councillor Fletcher informed Council she supported the Motion.

Councillor L Fenwick expressed concern at children with special educational needs being sent to transport hubs and considered that children and families would be hugely impacted by the proposed changes to home to school travel.

Councillor E Scott informed Council that the proposal was not a £2 uplift to fares as had been stated in the Call-in letter, it was a proposed 37p uplift to £2.

Councillor P Jopling informed Council that the issue of increasing costs of school transport budgets was a national issue for all councils.  There were currently 370 pupils in County Durham travelling on their own in taxis and there were 544 passenger assisted allocated to transport journeys.  Each young person travelling in this way costed an average of £20,000 a year.  Travelling in groups could have numerous benefits for children, including social and emotional development, providing opportunities to interact and engage with peers and fostering the development of important social skills by travelling together.

Councillor F Tinsley considered that the decision needed to be brought back to Cabinet.  Councillor Tinsley expressed concern that Cabinet had agreed a charge to the standard and maintained concessionary scheme of £2 to align to the bus service improvement plan offer for 2023/24.  However, the bus service improvement plan figure of £2 only existed until 31 October 2023 then it would increase by 25% to £2.50 and come November 2024 this would return to commercial rates.  This would be a spiralling future impact for families.

Councillor P Heaviside considered the report submitted to Cabinet was a testament to the diligent efforts put forward over a period of 18 months.  The evidence gathered during this period had allowed the proposed policy change which would positively impact children from low income families or those with special education needs.  One of the key recommendations was the provision of free transport for eligible children which recognised that transportation costs could be a burden for families, especially those facing financial difficulties.  Additionally, children with special education needs would continue to receive free transport services.

Councillor A Reed, Chair of Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee informed Council that the home to school transport consultation period had taken place between 27 February 2023 and 9 April 2023 and there had also been three opportunities for all Members of the Council to raise concerns about the proposals.  The proposed charge of £2 equated to a 37p increase.  All children eligible to receive free travel based on their family income or special education needs would continue to be provided with free transport.

Councillor M McKeon considered home to school transport to be an important lifeline for young people.  Going above and beyond the statutory requirement had been a necessary adaptation for a rural county like Durham.

In response to a question from Councillor D Sutton-Lloyd, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that the Call-in was valid.

Councillor A Hopgood, Leader of the Council informed the Council there was no change to SEND provision and that anybody eligible for SEND provision of free home to school transport would continue to receive this.  The use of transport hubs would be in consultation with schools and parents and would only proceed when all parties agreed that it was an opportunity for the child for development.  Nothing would be implemented against the wish of a parent who didn’t want their child to attend a transport hub.  The Corporate Director of Children and Young Peoples Services had confirmed that the proposal did not affect rural areas.

Councillor A Jackson informed Council that the Council was not moving away from single person travel where this was required on a need-based decision.  It was important that transport identified for each child met their needs.

Councillor M Wilkes, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change informed Council that, if not addressed, the cost of home to school transport to all residents of County Durham would equate to over 10% of the entire Council Tax raised.

Councillor J Elmer informed Council that the home to school transport service needed to be financially sustainable, which at the moment it was not.  Councillor Elmer considered that the Service had thoroughly reviewed all options with a goal of finding a pathway which minimised impact and had carefully engaged with all stakeholders.

Councillor P Molloy considered the proposals to be a common sense approach and could not support the Motion.

Councillor R Bell, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance informed Council that the 37p increase in fare referred to 452 pupils at 9 schools, none of which were rural.  The Council was putting an additional £7.98m into the budget next year which equated to 3.9% on the Council Tax which would affect all in the County.

Councillor J Miller expressed concern at the impact the proposal would have on families and on children and informed Council that he would be supporting the Motion.

A named vote was requested.

Councillor A Surtees informed Council that parents who had children of school meals will have encountered a 17p increase per child, per meal by September 2023 with another increase due in April 2024 which would put even more pressure on family finances.  Increases in nursery costs and child care costs would also be experienced.

Councillor S McDonnell informed the Council that an enormous amount of work had been expended by the procurement on home to school transport teams.  Every opportunity had been available to all Members of the Council to contribute towards the review.

Councillor R Crute considered the case had been well put to refer the matter back to Cabinet.  The decision to Call-in was made by Councillor Crute in consultation with the s151 officer and the monitoring officer and was a valid referral.  COSMB had a duty to hold Cabinet to account in line with the Council’s Constitution.

Upon a vote being taken

For the Motion

Councillors E Adam, R Adcock-Forster, V Andrews, J Atkinson, P Atkinson, A Batey, K Batey, C Bihari, D Boyes, J Chaplow, R Crute, S Deinali, K Earley, L Fenwick, C Fletcher, J Griffiths, O Gunn, D Hall, C Hampson, A Hanson, K Hawley, S Henig, J Higgins, L Hovvels, D Howarth, M Johnson, C Kay, L Maddison, R Manchester, C Marshall, B McAloon, D McKenna, M McKeon, I McLean, S McMahon, J Miller, D Nicholls, P Pringle, J Purvis, S Quinn, I Roberts, J Scurfield, K Shaw, G Smith, T Smith, A Surtees, F Tinsley, S Townsend, M Wilson, S Wilson, D Wood and R Yorke.

Against the Motion

Councillors R Bell, J Blakey, D Brown, L Brown, J Cosslett, B Coult, M Currah, T Duffy,  J Elmer, D Freeman, D Haney, P Heaviside, T Henderson, C Hood,  A Hopgood, J Howey, G Hutchinson, A Jackson, N Jones, P Jopling, C Lines, C Martin, E Mavin, L Mavin, S McDonnell, M McGaun, P Molloy, J Nicholson, D Oliver, R Ormerod, E Peeke, R Potts, J Quinn, A Reed, G Richardson, S Robinson, K Robson, K Rooney, J Rowlandson, A Savory, E Scott, A Shield, J Shuttleworth, M Simmons, A Simpson, W Stelling, A Sterling, D Stoker, T Stubbs, D Sutton-Lloyd, M Walton, M Wilkes and S Zair.

The Motion was Lost.