Issue - items at meetings - Denominational Transport

Report of the Strategic Director; People (copy attached).

248.1    Councillor Shanks introduced the report which detailed the proposed withdrawal of denominational transport in the form of a bus pass to a number of children who attend the nearest voluntary aided school of a religious character of their own faith.  She stated that the intention was to make the system fairer and noted that it had been the subject of a consultation exercise, the views of which had been taken on board.  It was intended to introduce the change with effect from 1^st September 2013, and to protect those children who had entered the exam year until that was completed.

248.2    Councillor Mitchell stated that she was aware of the reasoning for the proposal and supported the change but asked that the continued provision of council subsidised bus services be maintained as they were key to enabling the change to be implemented effectively.

248.3    The Chair noted the comments and stated that the subsidised bus routes were currently out to tender and the outcome of that process would have to be awaited.  He then put the recommendations to the vote.

248.4    RESOLVED:

(1)         That the Council withdraw denominational transport as defined in paragraph 5.2 of the report from 1^st September 2013; and

(2)         That the Council provides protection for older pupils at Cardinal Newman School who have bus passes and who have already started an examination course, until completion of that course.

Report of the Strategic Director: People (to be circulated separately).

The item had been withdrawn.

162.1  The item had been withdrawn.