Chance to have say on plans to cut free school transport
PROPOSED new changes to school bus transport in Bridgend – which would see many more families having to pay for their children to get to nursery or school – have gone out to public consultation.
The consultation asks for opinions on plans to cut free school transport for nursery school children and post-16 students, as well as for any children who live less than two miles from their nearest suitable primary school or less than three miles from their nearest suitable secondary school – if there are walking routes available.
However, pupils attending religious or Welshlanguage schools in the county who live two miles or more from primary schools and three miles or more from secondary schools would continue to receive free transport, regardless of whether it is their nearest suitable school.
The changes to the transport policy are due to come into force from September 2020.
Bridgend County Borough Council is also looking to remove escorts from all taxis and minibuses carrying fewer than eight passengers.
But it says it will consider providing an escort for any child with additional learning needs following an assessment of their needs.
Furthermore, the council is proposing to remove any examples of special circumstances from its school transport policy, where it provides transport for pupils who are not currently eligible.
Examples include where a child has had to move to a different area of the county to escape a domestic violence situation or where a child has a medical condition, such as a broken leg, which requires transport to be made available in the short term.
The consultation asks residents if they believe there are any groups of post-16 students who should continue to receive free transport, such as children in care, disabled young people or those considered at risk of becoming unemployed or not in education or training.
The local authority says it is currently facing unprecedented cuts to its budget, having to find an expected £35m savings between now and 2023.
It is organising a number of consultation events in schools across the county over the coming weeks.
A report by education officers, which went before councillors at a recent cabinet meeting, said the proposal to remove discretionary transport was “not taken lightly” but continuing its free provision would have a significant impact on the ability of the local authority to support and sustain other critical services long-term.
The consultation is now running and ends on January 5.
For more details or to take part in the consultation, visit b r i d g e n d . g o v. u k / consultation, email consultation@ bridgend. gov.uk, call 01656 643664 or pop into the civic offices in Angel Street.
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