Decision details

(1)  That approval be given to the adoption of Option 3, as detailed in the considered report, in relation to mainstream provision, ie, applying the nearest geographical school, rather than catchment school, when considering applications for boarding cards/bus/train passes, and thereby returning to a statutory only policy.

(2)  That the proposal at (1) above (i) be applied as a minimum to all new applicants for a train/bus pass/boarding card and for applications relating to school transition points or a change of address from September 2019 and (ii) shall only apply to all new boarding card/bus/train pass holders from September 2019.

(3)  That the Service Director (Commercial, Regulatory and Operational Services) be authorised to investigate the possibility of moving from a system of bus/train pass/boarding card provision upfront to a system based on retrospective reimbursement of the cost of a bus/train pass/boarding card bought by parents/carers for their child/children for journeys to and from school, and that, should this prove feasible and deliver savings that outweigh the cost of delivery, be authorised to implement the system from September 2019 onwards.

(4)  That the Service Director (Commercial, Regulatory and Operational Services) be authorised to investigate the feasibility of setting up a cycling scheme that would provide a bicycle, helmet and cycling safety training in lieu of a boarding card/bus/train pass in circumstances where an individual/family decides that this would be the most appropriate provision for their circumstances and be delegated authority to implement the detail of the scheme.

(5)  That the existing Home to School Transport Policy be split into two separate policies whereby one will cover mainstream provision and one will cover SEN provision.

(6)  That a new mainstream transport policy be prepared for consideration in early 2018.