Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services, the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth and the Corporate Director of Resources which presented proposals in relation to the Maintained Concessionary scheme, a revised Personal Travel Budget offer and an update Home to School Transport policy (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

Councillor T Henderson, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People’s Services, confirmed that following a recent review of the Home to School Transport service, Cabinet had agreed to a number of recommendations in June 2023.  Whilst the Council had to meet its statutory duty to provide free transport to children who met specified criteria, consideration had to be given to the sustainability and fairness of the service.

The report identified that some transport services provided by the Council went beyond statutory duty and were not provided by most other councils.  They were also not provided consistently across the county.  The proposals ensured that the Council would continue to provide a statutory service but with more equity and transparency and a balanced set of changes, which provided greater clarity on the Policy.

Councillor Henderson confirmed that Cabinet would be giving further consideration to the maintained concessionary scheme and therefore he did not seek to move recommendation 9(a). He therefore, proposed recommendations 9 b) and 9 c) as outlined in the report.

Councillor Scott advised that Home to School Transport was a complex daily operation that involved delivering over 1,200 transport routes with over 300 contracted suppliers. It was necessary for the Council to address the budgetary pressures as expenditure had risen to £28.65m in 2023/24.

The report highlighted the research done on best practice in other Councils, which had been reflected within Policy, transport arrangements, and some of the feedback received from parents and carers during the 2023 public consultation.  It was pleasing to continue offering parents an enhanced opportunity to transport their children to school through the use of a Personal Travel Budget.

Noting Councillor Henderson’s comments in relation to recommendation 9a) and that proposals in respect of the maintained concessionary scheme would be the subject of further consideration by Cabinet, Councillor Scott seconded recommendations 9b) and 9c).

Resolved:

That recommendations b) and c) be approved as outlined in the report.