Views sought on council plans for free school transport cuts

BRIDGEND County Borough Council has launched a full public consultation on proposed changes to the home-to-school or college transport arrangements which are expected to make just over £1m in budgetary savings for the local authority.

The proposed changes to the home-to-school and college transport policy are as follows:

Removal of transport for all learners who live within the statutory distances of two miles of the nearest suitable primary school, or three miles of the nearest suitable secondary school, and can walk to school safely on an identified route;

Removal of legacy “sibling” protection for pupils;

Removal of all transport for nursery pupils (excluding those attending their nearest suitable Welsh-medium or faith school);

Removal of all Post-16 transport (to all schools and colleges), excluding pupils attending the following schools: Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd; Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School; The Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School;

The offer to parents/carers of pupils with ALN the option of a “personal transport budget” providing a mileage allowance of 45p per mile.

A council spokesman said that even though there is no statutory requirement for local authorities to provide school or college transport free of charge to any learner who is more than compulsory school age, the council’s pre-2016 policy enabled pupils to receive free transport if they lived further than oneand-0a half miles from their primary school, or two miles from their secondary school.

When the current (post-2016) policy started, these arrangements continued for learners who had always experienced such benefits, but were not accessible to pupils just starting school, either at primary or secondary school level.

Additionally, learners were able to “pass on” this favourable eligibility to their younger siblings but an only child would miss out on the opportunity.

As part of the new proposals, this will no longer apply – all pupils of statutory school-age will be eligible for free transport only if they live outside of the statutory distances of two miles of a primary school, or three miles of a secondary school.

Another proposed change is the offer of a “personal transport budget” to parents or carers of pupils with additional learning needs (ALN).

For pupils with ALN who are eligible for free transport based on their particular needs, a budget of 45p per mile will be offered to provide financial support to parents or carers on an individual basis, giving them the opportunity to arrange their own transport to school for their child if they wish.

The only transport arrangements set to remain unaffected under the proposed changes are those for pupils attending Welsh-medium and faith schools.

There is a statutory requirement to promote the Welsh language, with only one Welsh-medium secondary school in the county borough, located in Maesteg in the Llynfi Valley.

For faith-based education, supporting individual choice in relation to education is at the heart of national, as well as local policy, consequently, transport provision is proposed to continue without change.

Councillor Jon-Paul Blundell, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The learner transport budget has been under significant financial pressure for many years.

“Home-to-school or college transport spend has increased from around £6m at the end of 2020-2021, to a projected £10m at end of 20232024, with only a current budget of almost £9m.

“Since the pandemic, the transport market has been depressed with significantly higher prices year-onyear.

“The suggested changes to this policy have been carefully considered in terms of equity, inclusivity, as well as cost.

“The proposed amendments still ensure that every child, irrespective of circumstances, can access a suitable place of education.

“We very much value the thoughts of pupils and their parents or carers and encourage those potentially affected by the proposals to take part in the 12-week consultation, to share your views and opinions.”

You can complete the consultation on the council’s website or give your views in the following ways:

Tel: 01656 643 664

Email: Consultation@bridgend. gov.uk

Post: Communications, Marketing and Engagement team, Bridgend County Borough Council, Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend, CF31 4WB.

Alternative formats of the survey are also available upon request.

The survey closes on Wednesday 3 July 2024.