Agenda item

Report of the Head of Education & Learning (EL/16/5) on the outcome of consultations on arrangements for post 16 students for the 2017/18 academic year approved previously for report at this time, attached.

(Councillors Brazil, Connett, Hannan, Julian, Owen and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

(Councillor Davis declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this matter by virtue of being a parent of a child in receipt of County Council post 16 transport and  withdrew from the meeting  during  its consideration).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Education & Learning (EL/16/5) on the outcome of consultations on the education travel policy for post 16 students for the 2017/18 academic year, seeking approval to the adoption of a revised policy.

The Council had a statutory duty to provide transport support only where the absence of such support (through, for example, the College Bursary Scheme where schools now received funding direct from Government for such schemes) would prevent a student remaining in education: that statutory duty was enshrined and re-affirmed in the proposed policy now commended to the Cabinet. 

A number of responses had been received to the consultation – which were set out in detail in the Appendix to the Head of Service’s Report – principally around concerns that students would not be able to get to College without transport provided by the County Council and/or that the level of funding available through the College Bursary scheme would not be sufficient to meet the needs of all students.  Members were reminded that, as now, students and parents had the primary responsibility for getting to and from College and they would have to demonstrate that all possible options had been explored before seeking financial assistance either from the Bursary Scheme or from the County Council. The Council was seen as the final ‘safety-net’ for claimants but where, for instance, students would be able to walk to and from College or public transport was available there would normally be no need for the Council to assist in any way.

Members noted that Government had recently announced it would shortly be undertaking a consultation on post 16 education travel which it was hoped might address the funding issues referred to at the meeting and reflected in the recommendation before the Cabinet.

The Head of Service’s Report also incorporated an Impact Assessment relating to the possible impacts of the proposal, which had been circulated previously for the attention of Members at this meeting, in order that as part of its determination of the next steps in the process the Cabinet might have full regard to the responsibilities placed upon it to exercise its Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010, where relevant.  The findings of that Assessment was that there would be a very limited impact upon the actions of parents or choice of school or travel arrangements and that, in socio-economic terms, the proposal was regarded a positive one and no unmanageable impacts had been identified.

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability, carbon impact, risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

It was MOVED by Councillor McInnes, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED

(a)that the outcome of consultations undertaken by the County Council be noted and the proposed policy for 2017/18 be endorsed subject to:

(i) increasing the contribution level for all those subject to pay a contribution from £560 to £580 per annum; and

(ii) removing an automatic entitlement to transport support for post-16 students, with support being available from the Local Authority only where students could evidence that they could not access education or training provision without support being given by the County Council.

(b) that the LGA and Devon MPs be made aware of  the financial  impact upon Councils, parents and students of the Government not having increased funding for post 16 education travel consistent with the increase in the school leaving age and be asked to make representations to Government accordingly.

 [NB: The full policy for 2017/18 may be viewed at www.devon.gov.uk/admissionarrangements ]