Councillors’ hometo-school transport concerns defeated

REQUESTS for controversial home-to-school transport changes to be reconsidered have been denied by Conservatives.

Two weeks ago, Hampshire County Council approved changes to the way 12,000 children get to and from school each day. In a bid to save almost £1 million, the county council will switch to using public pick-up and drop-off points, rather than parking in front of passengers’ homes, and take multiple children on a single journey. A quarter of these children have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Liberal Democrat and independent councillors requested the call-in meeting, branding the decision ‘disheartening’ for children and their families.

According to council officers, the proposal will affect 5% of SEND children receiving home-toschool transport, with children’s needs examined case-by-case.

Liberal Democrat member for Dibden and Hythe, Cllr Malcolm Wade said: “This policy will not work for all young people – there will be more appeals and more tribunals. It’s quite souldestroying for parents, and if it’s such a small number then why don’t we leave it as it is for SEND children, and therefore ensure that all these children get the level or attention that they need? We have to ensure they get the best start in life.”

Director for children’s services, Steve Crocker, said the county spends about £35 million every year on home-to-school transport and has to get the best value for money with rising petrol prices likely to increase costs.

Conservative councillor Jonathan Glen said: “I have a son with SEND and when he was a child he was taken to school on his own. He had perfect diction. When he shared transport with a child who had a stutter, he developed one himself. He’s an adult now and still has it. These children copy each other when put together and while it might be a good idea to socialise, in my opinion this hasn’t helped my son.”

The call-in request was defeated by eight votes to five, to the dismay of campaigners. Kirsty Smillie, from the Disability Union, said: “We knew this was going to happen – it’s all about money and never about the people.

“I understand that budget cuts have to be made but it’s always the most vulnerable who are affected. The amount of tribunals and appeals parents will end up lodging will probably cost the county council just as much as they plan to save by doing this.”