Issue - items at meetings - Review of Home to School Transport 2013

Joint report of the Interim Director, Children’s Services and Strategic Director; Place (copy attached).

(1)               That the extension of the 91 bus service to Cardinal Newman School so that it runs from Ovingdean to Cardinal Newman School from September 2013 using funding from changes to denominational transport be agreed;

(2)               That officers should consult on the possible withdrawal of the 96 bus service with the parents/carers and schools of current users including on possible funding of alternative transport solutions and to bring a report back to the committee;

(3)               That the retention of the 74 and 75 bus services to Patcham High School funded from changes to denominational transport be agreed;

(4)               That Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company be requested to adapt the afternoon commercial 94/94A bus service running to Queen’s Park and East Brighton so that one picks up pupils from Dorothy Stringer and one from Varndean on the school side of Ditchling Road with effect from September 2013;

(5)               That it be agreed the remaining Council supported school bus services should continue to operate as contracted with bus operators in 2012 but Members would continue to keep school bus services under review; and

(1)               That the Council would continue to negotiate with Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company with regard to the terms and conditions of scholar passes which are purchased by the Council for eligible students.

165.1          The interim Director for Children’s Services introduced the report which detailed the outcome of a review of the home to school transport provision and proposed a number of changes to various routes, including the extension of the No.91, the retention of the No’s.74 & 75 and the possible withdrawal of the No.96 service.

165.2          Councillor Shanks stated that she wished to thank the officers involved in the review and welcomed the proposed extension to the No.91 service.  In regard to the No.96 service, meetings had been held with parents and school representatives and discussions were continuing in relation to how pupils could be supported.  However, it was recognised that the actual cost of providing the service was too high.

165.3          Councillor A. Norman stated that she was disappointed with the report and the lack of consultation with appropriate councillors.  Whilst she largely agreed with the proposals and accepted that it was increasingly hard to justify the continuation of the No.96, there was a need to identify alternative arrangements first as the pupils had signed up to attend the schools on the understanding that a service was available.  In regard to recommendation 2.2 on page 394 of the agenda, she wished to move an amendment to include the words ‘with consultation’ after the word ‘fund’ and before ‘alternative’.

Councillor Norman also questioned the proposal to restrict access to Patcham High with the No.74 service when pupils should be encouraged to attend BACA.  She noted that Councillor Wealls had been involved in looking at access for BACA but had not been consulted on this matter.

165.4          Councillor G. Theobald formally seconded the amendment.

165.5          The Chair noted the comments and stated that the question of transport arrangements for BACA pre-dated the report and discussions were being held with the Chair of Governors and Head teacher.  In regard to the proposed amendment, he had consulted the Head of Law and felt that the original recommendation implied that consultation would take place and therefore there was no need to amend it.  He was also happy to give his assurance that consultation on the possible alternative solutions would be held.

165.6          Councillor A. Norman stated that she was concerned that alternative provision would be found and implemented but was happy to accept the Chair’s assurance that consultation would take place.

165.7          Councillor Mitchell stated that she felt that recommendation 2.2 was not well written and suggested that it should be amended to include that following consultation on alternative transport arrangements a report was brought back to the committee for decision.

165.8          Councillor Morgan formally seconded the amendment.

165.9          Councillor G. Theobald stated that he largely agreed with the report but asked for clarification that the No’s.74 & 75 would both start from the correct position.

165.10      The Lead Commissioner for City Regulation & Infrastructure confirmed that the No’s.74 & 75 would both start from the correct position.

165.11      Councillor Peltzer Dunn stated that recommendation 2.2 was clumsy and needed to be clarified.

165.12      The Head of Law proposed that recommendation 2.2. could be amended to read, “That officers should consult on the possible withdrawal of the 96 bus service with the parents/carers and schools of current users including on possible funding of alternative transport solutions and to bring a report back to the committee.”

165.13      The Chair noted the revised amendment outlined by the Head of Law and suggested that the Committee agree to accept the revision and not take either of the amendments proposed by councillors Norman and Mitchell.  He therefore put the recommendations as amended to the vote.

165.14      RESOLVED:

(1)         That the extension of the 91 bus service to Cardinal Newman School so that it runs from Ovingdean to Cardinal Newman School from September 2013 using funding from changes to denominational transport be agreed;

(2)         That officers should consult on the possible withdrawal of the 96 bus service with the parents/carers and schools of current users including on possible funding of alternative transport solutions and to bring a report back to the committee;

(3)         That the retention of the 74 and 75 bus services to Patcham High School funded from changes to denominational transport be agreed;

(4)         That Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company be requested to adapt the afternoon commercial 94/94A bus service running to Queen’s Park and East Brighton so that one picks up pupils from Dorothy Stringer and one from Varndean on the school side of Ditchling Road with effect from September 2013;

(5)         That it be agreed the remaining Council supported school bus services should continue to operate as contracted with bus operators in 2012 but Members would continue to keep school bus services under review; and

(6)         That the Council would continue to negotiate with Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company with regard to the terms and conditions of scholar passes which are purchased by the Council for eligible students.

165.15      The Chair noted the meeting had been in progress for over two hours and proposed that a short adjournment be held and adjourned the meeting at 6.15pm.

165.16      The Chair reconvened the meeting at 6.25pm.