Decision details

1

Council officers to be instructed to negotiate with the transport provider for St Mary’s School, Askham Richard in order for seat belts to be provided on all vehicles.  If this is not possible at a reasonable cost then they will re-let the contract from September 2007.

The Executive endorses the Scrutiny Committee recommendation and instructs officers to address this issue as part of any proposals arising out of the current Kendric Ash review of the Councils transport contracts

2

The Council will ensure that minimum standards for all future home to school transport buses include:

a)   Lap seatbelts to be fitted to all vehicles, with the long term aim of these being 3 point seatbelts.

b)   CCTV to be installed in all vehicles and functioning at all times

c)Contractors to ensure that all drivers have had a CRB check within the last three years before commencing this work and thereafter in line with current Council policy.

EU2 emission standards or greater to be required on all contract vehicles

The Executive endorses the Scrutiny Committee recommendation and instructs officers to address this issue as part of any proposal arising out of the current Kendric Ash review of the Councils transport contracts. The Executive accepts that is may be necessary to phase in these new contract requirements over a period of time to allow for any necessary conversions to be undertaken and for funding sources to be found.

3

The council will ensure that where possible contracts are to be let for more than 5 years, ideally 8 - 10 years in order to allow contractors to invest in higher quality vehicles

The Executive notes the Scrutiny Committee recommendation and asks officers to report back on the advantages and any possible disadvantages of letting longer transport contracts

4

The council will recognise good practice in other local authorities and encourage schools and contractors to use measures such as good behaviour contracts (see paragraph 32), designated seats and the use of bus prefects to discourage unruly behaviour by pupils.

The Executive endorses the Scrutiny Committee recommendation

5

The Council will endeavour to ensure that the same high standards are in place for bus contracts covering all educational establishments.

The Executive endorses the Scrutiny Committee recommendation and instructs officers to address this issue as part of any proposals arising out of the current Kendric Ash review of the Councils transport contracts