Agenda item

This report formally presents the information provided to date in support of this review.  Members are asked to agree the remit and identify what, if any, additional information is required to support their work on the review.

Members received an interim report which presented the information provided to date in support of this review.  Members were asked to agree the remit and identify what, if any, additional information was required to support their work on the review.

It was noted that paragraph 35 (ii) of the report should read...”outlined in paragraph 32 above”.

Attention was drawn to Annex G of the report which provided information on denominational transport numbers and costs for 2010/11.  It was noted that expenditure had reduced because of a decrease in the number of pupils who qualified.  Consideration was given to the maps which detailed the location of pupils currently receiving transport and who attended Manor CE School, All Saint’s RC School or Archbishop Holgate’s CE School. 

It was noted that consultation on any changes would need to take place in the Spring Term 2012 with a view to any changes being implemented from September 2013 at the earliest.

Councillor Brookes expressed concern that discussion had focussed solely on the cost implications of providing transport to denominational schools and that ideological issues had not been taken into account.  She was also concerned that the committee’s focus appeared to be on the issue of school transport policies but that this was not reflected in the title of the review.  This meant that people who may wish to contribute may be unaware that this item was being considered.  It was requested that this be made clearer on the agenda for the next meeting.  

Discussion took place as to whether consideration should be given to school catchment areas.  Officers explained the difficulties that arose when changes were made to school catchment areas.  They gave details of action that was being taken to increase capacity at those schools which were experiencing pressures in accommodating children who lived in their catchment area, including the use of government funding to create additional places.

Members agreed that they were satisfied with the oversubscription criteria in use in York’s Community and Voluntary Controlled schools.

In respect of current School Travel Policies, Members requested that the following additional information be provided to assist them in their review:

·        Cost implications of a phased introduction (shown by breakdown of year groups)

·        Information from East Riding Council regarding their experiences as to the effects of changing policies in respect of denominational transport.

RESOLVED:       That, at the next meeting, Members consider the information requested above in respect of school transport policies and agree recommendations arising from the review.

REASON:            To progress the review.