Archived decisions

Headings

Description of what is wanted

Name:

Home to School Transport

Proposed improvements:

· Further work is needed on the possible delegation of home to school transport budget to schools or cluster of schools.

· Extend the number of schools where home to school transport is reviewed annually.

· Provide the minibus scheme to more special schools and pupil referral units and extend the scheme to mainstream schools.

· Consider a fleet of coaches to be owned by the County Council.

· Further work with schools where rationalising opening and closing times could lead to savings in transport costs.

· Make more use of the internet for applications for home to school transport.

Progress in implementing the Improvement Plan:

· Working party with headteachers has reported and suggested possible devolution models. Currently in discussion with individual interested schools.

· Number of area reviews extended to six rather than three. Further expansion limited by staffing pressures.

· Twenty-two minibuses were involved/planned within the scheme.

· Report on possible internal fleet of coaches being prepared by County Treasurer's Consultancy Team.

· Discussions under way with two schools about changing school times to reduce transport costs.

· No action yet on E-government.

Future Plans:

· Continue to promote initiatives that have succeeded in making more efficient use of resources.

· Discussions underway with Social Services about service for school transport and looked after children.

· Analyse impact on home to school transport requirement for full education for EOTAS pupils.

· Analyse impact of 2002 Education Act on post-16 transport for pupils with SEN.

Contact for further information:

Terry Rath, Education Officer on 01962 846457.