| OSC.657 | Mr Ian Madden, Primary Parent Governor, declared a personal interest in item OSC.661 below, Called In Item - Proposed Revision to the Policy on Eligibility for Home to School Transport, as the Chair of Governors at Radcliffe Hall Primary School and as the parent of 2 children who attend a Secondary Faith School in the Borough. Mr Madden clarified that his children did not receive financial assistance in respect of school transport.
Councillor Bevan declared a personal interest in item OSC.661 below, Called In Item - Proposed Revision to the Policy on Eligibility for Home to School Transport, as a School Governor at Edenfield Church Of England Primary School where his own children are schooled.
Councillor James declared a personal interest in item OSC.661 below, Called In Item - Proposed Revision to the Policy on Eligibility for Home to School Transport, as a School Governor at St Hilda’s Primary School and also by virtue of the fact that his niece, who is resident in the Borough, was currently in receipt of free school transport to a denominational school outside of the Borough.
Councillor Cummings declared a personal interest in item OSC.661 below, Called In Item - Proposed Revision to the Policy on Eligibility for Home to School Transport, as a School Governor at St Mary’s RC Primary School in Radcliffe.
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| OSC.661 | The Chair, Councillor Hankey, reported that the main item of business before the Committee was as a result of a Call-in Notice. The Notice related to the Cabinet decision taken on 19 December 2012 to approve a revised policy in respect of the Eligibility for Home to School Transport.
The report for decision of the Cabinet Member for Children and Families had been submitted which presented the outcome of a consultation with key stakeholders that had taken place between 10 September and 9 November 2012. The consultation related to proposed changes to the Council’s Home to School Transport Policy, in particular the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in respect of transport to a denominational (faith) school.
The reasons for the Call-In of the decision were set out within the Notice as follows:
1. The revised policy would unfairly discriminate against parents wishing to send their children to Faith Schools.
2. There has been insufficient consultation with the general public.
Questions and comments were invited from Members of the Committee and the public present at the meeting and the following issues were raised:
• Mr Graves, Head Teacher at St Joseph’s RC Primary School, highlighted that 81% of consultees wanted the policy to remain unchanged and stated that the impact of the new policy would be increased pollution through more cars on the road and a restriction of choice for Catholic parents. In response the Cabinet Member explained that the response rate equated to 0.7% of the overall school cohort.
• Mr Walter Dooley expressed concerns that further options were not considered, including the potential use of alternative transport providers. Mr Dooley also highlighted that Radcliffe children would be disproportionately affected by the change in the Policy as a result of the Town not having a High School.
• In response to a question from Councillor Hankey, the Cabinet Member confirmed that it was permissible for individual schools to use surplus balances to fund transport for pupils
• With regard to a suggestion that the Council could match or part fund transport in conjunction with individual schools, Paul Cooke, Strategic Lead (Schools, Academies and Colleges), highlighted that such a policy could create inequality if only particular schools signed up.
• In response to concerns from a number of parents, the Cabinet Member explained that the revised policy actually sought to remove inequality between denominational and non denominational schools. It was highlighted that the current provision was discretionary and not a statutory requirement. Faced with budget pressures, reduced funding from Government and statutory obligations the Cabinet Member explained that this was not something the Council were able to continue to fund.
• Concerns were raised that the proposed policy promoted religious in-difference, restricted the choice of where parents could send their children and was discriminatory to those who selected schools on the basis of faith.
• The Deputy Head Teacher of St Gabriel’s highlighted the fact that the price negotiated by the Council with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to fund bus passes was in excess of the cost to the general public. Questions were raised about whether the Council could procure a better deal with TfGM or explore cheaper alternatives with other providers. Paul Cooke explained that due to the scale of provision required in this area, school transport was procured through TfGM.
• Mr Graves stated that there had been a lack of discussion and contact with schools and the Diocese prior to decisions being taken.
• Mr Smith, Head Teacher at St Gabriel’s, claimed that the revised policy was set to take away free travel from a minority, namely catholic children and questioned which other budget cuts had been considered within Children’s Services. The Cabinet Member explained that all avenues had been explored and referred to the cost pressures associated with statutory obligations such as Children and Young People in Care and children with Special Educational Needs.
• Councillor Gartside requested that the Cabinet Member consult further with schools and the Diocese to identify alternative options to the proposed policy.
• Councillor Caserta stated that meetings had not been held with all Head Teachers and highlighted that a previous proposal to remove free transport had been suggested on a phased basis.
• In response to concerns about the additional financial burden placed on parents wishing to send their children to Faith Schools, the Cabinet Member explained the safeguards in place to ensure that pupils from low income families would continue to receive free transport.
• With regard to the impact of the revised policy on admission numbers, Paul Cooke explained that it was difficult to predict but referred to an analysis of neighbouring authorities where free transport had been removed with no evidence of a negative effect on faith school admissions.
• Councillor Walker made reference to the legal historic right of parents to send their children to Faith Schools and stressed the importance of respecting Faith Schools within the Education System. The Cabinet Member acknowledged the important right of parents to select a school on the basis of faith but re-iterated that there was no legal obligation to fund free transport.
• In response to suggestions that other areas of the Council budget be cut, such as Bury in Bloom and recycling measures, the Cabinet Member explained that his responsibility lay with the Children’s Services Budget and stated that all Council Departments were looking to make the necessary budget savings.
• Councillor O’Hanlon commented that the report did not provide a balanced picture of all the issues and lacked detail in respect of criteria for low income families and comparative information from neighbouring Authorities. Furthermore, Councillor O’Hanlon expressed concern that alternatives, including a phased removal had not been considered and costed. Paul Cooke explained that information relating to low income families and comparative data was referenced within the background documents.
• With regard to responses from schools and Governing Bodies, the Cabinet Member confirmed that no suggestions had been received in relation to how they could assist in funding school transport.
• Councillor Wiseman commented that more consultation with Head Teachers could have been undertaken and suggested that a phased approach should have been considered as an option.
• In response to a request from Councillor Bevan, an undertaking was given to make the responses to the consultation available to the Committee.
• Councillor Carter suggested that examining the use of surplus school balances was a useful route to explore in relation to the funding of school transport. It was further suggested that it would be a good idea for the Denominational High Schools to meet and discuss potential funding arrangements.
• Ms Letcher, Acting Head of St Monica’s RC High School, explained that there were controls on school balances and explained that all balances had to be agreed with the Local Authority and used for educational projects which benefit pupils. Ms Letcher questioned the impact on other schools which could arise if Catholic parents chose to send their children to non denominational schools.
• Councillor Daley commented that school transport could be affordable should the Council be able to negotiate a reduced price with TfGM and look at part subsidising with individual schools. The Cabinet Member reiterated
that, due to the significant budget pressures & reduced funding from Government, this was not something the Council were able to continue to fund.
At the request of the Chair, Leigh Webb, Democratic Services Officer, outlined the options open to the Committee through the Constitution in respect of the Called-In decision.
Following a summary of the issues raised at the meeting, Voting Members of the Committee voted on whether to offer comments to the Cabinet on the decision or refer the matter to full Council
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