Agenda item

To present the findings and recommendations of the Home to School Transport Task & Finish Group.

The committee received a report on the findings and recommendations of the Home to School Transport Task & Finish Group.

Members were updated that work on the Home to School Transport had been taking place since 2022. It was noted that if a child could not safely be placed on public transport to get to school, then a taxi was the alternative provision – the taxi services, although the Council was working with families to find the best route and alternative travel arrangements. The Council was developing Personal Travel Budgets to give to families for them to utilise to get their child to school the best was possible – this process was audited and monitored and was being used by about 17% of families.  

It was noted that despite predicting a saving in the area, there has been an overspend. It was noted that there had been a discrepancy in the FR3 and FR4 finance reports which had been presented to committee. This was due to an error with the system which generated payments and invoices which has been rectified. The Council had employed consultants to assist with cost avoidance measures and route optimisation, which had meant that the overspend was not as large as it otherwise would have been. Key Performance Indicators were being worked on.

It was noted that the service was demand driven, which often lead to high costs. Members were updated that the Council has a statutory obligation to transport children to school and were doing what was possible to ensure value for money. It was noted that there were large differences in the average cost to transport a child to school in a rural and urban areas.

Members were updated that the Council utilises a “reverse auction” dynamic purchasing system where a panel of suppliers bid downwards in order to be awarded transport contracts which receives consistent bids from suppliers and allows the Council to manage costs more effectively. Members were updated that at the present time there was no active programme for School Streets in Cheshire East’s Highways programme.

It was noted that the Council has access to a lot of information from neighbouring Local Authorities, and there was a nation data set which provides details and the Council reviews this on a monthly basis.

It was noted that the recommendations of the report called for regulatory changes to the taxi licensing policy.

Members requested further information on cost avoidance and the Dedicated Schools Grant. Officers committed to provider a written response.

Members requested further information on the average per mile cost of transporting children. Officers committed to provider a written response.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1. Note the Final Report of the Home to School Transport Task and Finish Group and acknowledge its findings, evidence base and conclusions.

2. Approve the implementation of a system?wide review to embed the Total Cost of Placement (TCOP) approach across all relevant directorates, ensuring transport implications are fully considered in decisions relating to children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), cared?for children, and those receiving education other than at school (EOTAS) or alternative provision.

3. Approve a review of the effectiveness of recent school transport procurement changes and approves the development of measures to reduce contract churn, strengthen market capacity, and improve the service experience for families.

4. Approve that an Annual Home to School Transport Report be produced and published, setting out expenditure, performance data, lessons learned and priorities for the forthcoming year.

5. Support the development of a School Travel Support Charter which:

a) Sets out clear and mutual expectations between the council, families and providers;

b) Establishes a structured parent feedback mechanism independent of the Parent Carer Forum;

c) Improves the clarity and accessibility of information relating to Personal Travel Budgets (PTBs).

6. Approve progressing work to identify a lead officer responsible for exploring and developing an independent travel training programme with internal stakeholders, local colleges and specialist partners, and supports continued promotion of PTBs alongside other suitable alternative travel arrangements.

7. Agree that future Available Walking Route (AWR) schemes are progressed in line with policy, where they provide a cost-effective means of increasing

opportunities for non-motorised journeys, with investment in AWR schemes forming part of the integrated transport delivery programme.

8. Agree to the review of opportunities to extend use of the council’s own fleet to provide extra capacity of home-to-school transport.

9. Authorise the Chair of the Children and Families Committee to write to the Department for Education, the Local Government Association and relevant national bodies to:

a) Urge reform of SEND transport funding and statutory duties;

b) Request updated national guidance that recognises rural challenges and modern parental work patterns;

c) Advocate for regulatory changes to address inconsistencies in taxi licensing arrangements, including issues arising from out?of?area licensing models

10. Support continued collaboration with the Cheshire & Warrington Combined Authority and the regional SEND Travel Steering Group to share best practice, explore joint opportunities and influence future policy development.