Via Bucks County Council:
Time running out for consultation on the future of home to school transport
There are only [8] days left for parents to have their say on the proposed changes to Buckinghamshire’s home to school transport policy, due to be implemented in September 2012.
The changes, likely to affect the majority of secondary school pupils, would mean that transport will only be provided to the pupil’s nearest secondary school. Under the existing policy, pupils currently receive free transport to their choice of catchment school, including grammar schools, if they live over 3 miles away from the school. If a child is from a low income family and is entitled to free school meals; a family is in receipt of maximum working tax credit; a child has special educational needs, a disability, mobility problems or is eligible on specific road safety criteria, the Council will continue to provide free home to school transport where the statutory criteria are met.
Mike Appleyard, Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, has already met with parents during public meetings held across the county before Christmas. A further five meetings are due to take place before the consultation ends on 31 January.
Cllr Appleyard said: “Through these meetings, I have been made aware of some specific issues that had not been fully considered when drawing up these proposals and I am now seeking solutions which will be used to form the final policy. The final policy is not a done deal and remains subject to the findings of the consultation. I’m grateful to parents for bringing these issues to my attention and I encourage as many parents to come along to the meetings as possible.”
The new proposals will help achieve savings of £1.4m (or 10%) from the home to school transport budget, all part of the Council’s need to cut its overall spending by 50% over the next nine years. To read the proposal in full and complete the survey online visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/schooltransport
