Issue - meetings

To consider proposals to consult upon changing the services for which the Council is legally permitted to make a charge under the School Transport Policy, and the Complex and Special Needs Transport Policy.

A review of the Council’s Home-to-School Transport Policy was required as a result of the tight financial framework within which all Local Authorities were now operating.  As a consequence, it was proposed that the policy be reviewed and consultation be undertaken in relation to the services for which a charge could made, viz:

o              Post-16 transport;

o              Some denominational transport;

o              The post-16 element of the Complex Special Needs Policy; and

o              The provision of transport for children with medical needs.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services was, therefore, invited to approve consultation in respect of changing the services for which Cheshire East Borough Council was legally permitted to make a charge.

RESOLVED

That

(1)      consultation be undertaken on the removal of the discretionary elements of the Home-to-School Transport Policy and Complex Special Needs Transport Policy;

(2)      subject to the outcome of that consultation and to any subsequent changes to the policies, the Starting School (information for parents and carers) and Transferring to Secondary School (How to apply for a school place) booklets be updated as necessary, prior to publication for this Autumn’s school admissions round for admissions to schools in the academic year 2012/13;

(3)      a review of the efficiency of the current appeals process be undertaken prior to any future policy changes taking effect; and

(4)      a separate review be undertaken of transport arrangements for cared for children in foster placements travelling to and from school.