Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Cabinet Member for Economy, Education, Learning and Skills - Dorset County Council.

The Committee considered a suite of policies detailing eligibility/entitlement to school transport for any Dorset resident attending an education setting, both Dorset maintained, Academy or in the case of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, those attending an Independent Specialist Placement.  Particular reference was made to the surplus seat cost, as agreed by Dorset County Council’s Cabinet on the 7 March 2018, which had risen from £675 to £715, and an objection to eligibility for transport for residents of the Swanage Town area raised by the Swanage School. Consultation was undertaken from June to July 2018 and September to October 2018.

One public question was received from Tristram Hobson, Head Teacher at The Swanage School, in relation to Home to School Transport Policies 2019-2020.  The question and answer are attached as an annexure to these minutes.

The Committee discussed the application of catchment criteria to school transport arrangements, and although it was recognised that catchment areas had not been updated in some time, the policies over time had proven effective and there had not been a wholesale change at this point for policies in 2019-2020, but may be an area for consideration in future years.  In relation to The Swanage School, a view was shared that the transport arrangements had been put in place in perpetuity in 1972 but times change and that this area should be reconsidered in due course.

Decisions

1. That the Home to School Transport Assistance Eligibility Policy for Children and Young People attending School 2019-2020 be approved and adopted.

2. That the Dorset Post 16 Transport Support Policy for 2019-2020 which includes a rise in the surplus seat price from £675 to £715 be approved and adopted.

3. That the surplus seat cost for 2020/21 will be £760 and in 2021/2022 will be £800 as per the Dorset County Council’s Cabinet decision of 7 March 2018.

4. That the Home to School Transport Policy and Post 16 Transport Support Policy are reconsulted on only either when there is a significant change to the eligibility criteria; or where there are changes to the statutory guidance that would require significant change to the policy; or in April-June 2021 for implementation in September 2022, whichever is the sooner.

Reason for Decisions

For Dorset (County) Council to fulfil its statutory duty to approve and publish school transport policies ahead of the Academic Year to which they refer.