Council and democracy

Agenda item

Proposal to deliver Denominational Transport within the Statutory minimum

Minutes:

The Officer presented the report which identified the means by which Thurrock Council would deliver denominational transport in accordance with its statutory duty. The Officer explained that denominational transport offered to any pupil other than pupils on benefit that attended a faith secondary school on the grounds of faith , was not a statutory duty and Thurrock Council were entitled to use its discretion with respect to such transport. To comply with these statutory duties, Thurrock Council must:

 

           Promote the use of sustainable travel and transport

           Make transport arrangements for all eligible children

 

An Exceptional Circumstances policy would also be in place to support those families whose income level is low, yet above the benefits threshold.

 

The report was brought back to Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny following the agreement by Cabinet to undertake further consultation on the future of the services. The purpose of the report was now to consider the results of those consultations, the impact of the proposals, what the commission of the service will have on Thurrock families and to determine the most financially viable way forward.

 

The Officer stated that the noticeable difference in consultations was the number of families that had made direct contact with the council.

 

The Council were wary of the impact and the importance to supporting families, the Officer stated that conversations had already taken place with the providers of the denominational transport and should the decommission of the service take place would act as facilitators between the providers and parents should they still wish to continue to use the service.

 

Councillor Kerin stated that potentially in 7 years’ time he may have a child who may take advantage of these bus services.

 

Councillor Kerin was happy to support the recommendations on the grounds that the exceptional circumstances remain and were monitored but had concerns with those families who could not afford the transport to enable them to educate their children in their faith.

 

Reverend Canon Barlow echoed comments previously made at Committee on that the reducing number of children using the service would have a direct consequence of the high cost that were being put to families who wished to use it.

 

Reverend Canon Barlow asked what the process would be for those children already at that school and would this be honoured for the child’s remaining duration.

 

The Officer stated that when transport was started in Thurrock extreme care was taken that all correspondence sent out stated that transport would be reviewed on a year by year basis with parents having to re-apply.

 

Reverend Barlow questioned the Officer again that families with children who reply on transport to secondary school who had not paid before will now have to start paying. The Officer confirmed that generally the answer would be yes but the Exceptional Circumstances Policy would make provision for certain cases.

 

Councillor Little asked the Officer to explain what the cycling allowance was. The Officer confirmed that the suitability of all additional options had to be looked at going forward including travel training for children. 

 

Patricia Wilson stated it this was not right and would not be supporting these recommendations.

 

The Officer confirmed that all viable options will be looked to assure parents that no child will be left without a school place and very effort would be given to support parents.

 

Councillor Gamester asked for clarification that no child who cannot afford transport should not be denied transport. The Officer explained the statutory duty of the Council and explained the Exceptional Circumstances Policy further.

 

Reverend Canon Barlow stated he would not be supporting these recommendations based on the direct consequences of the decision will see a significant reduction in the number children in Thurrock attending secondary schools out of borough as many families would not qualify for the free transport. Therefore the choice of which school their child would attend would be taken out of their hands.

 

Councillor Halden stated that he respected Reverend Canon Barlow’s decision and commented that his responsibility as an elected member would to ensure that every child had a safe school to go to. Councillor Halden stated that the Council could not cater for every variation and must cater for everyone.

 

The Chair called a vote on recommendations 1.1 and 1.2, the result of which:

 

For                   :           Councillors Halden, Gupta, Gamester, Little and Kerin (5)

 

Against            :           Patricia Wilson, Reverend Canon Barlow and Myra Potter

                                    (3)

 

Abstain            :           (0)

 

RESOLVED

 

1.1       That the comments of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the proposal being referred to Cabinet to deliver denominational transport within the statutory minimum and discontinue all services outside of its legal duty at the end of the 2015/16 academic be noted.

 

1.2       That it be recognised that Thurrock Council will continue to transportpupils in receipt of benefit who meet the criteria stipulated within the Education Act. An Exceptional Circumstances policy would also be in place to support families whose income level was low, yet above the benefits threshold.

 

Standing Orders were called at 9.15pm and agreed by all members

 

Supporting documents: