Consultation on school transport
Warwickshire County Council has this week (8 November) started a consultation on proposed changes to its Denominational Transport policy.
Currently Warwickshire County Council offers free transport to some students, aged four to 16, for travel to their nearest faith school (in Warwickshire, faith schools are either Catholic or Church of England Aided).
The county council is proposing that from September 2012 new applicants would only be eligible for free travel if they were attending the nearest school to their home address, or if they are from a low-income family. Many other authorities have also recently reviewed their Denominational Transport policies.
If a child is receiving free transport on denominational grounds in July 2012, it would continue until they leave their current school, or transfer to another school or into the sixth form (subject to there being no change in their circumstances such as a house move).
Most students affected would still be able to travel to school on council services under the Vacant Seats Scheme. This allows students who are not entitled to free transport to use school transport but payment would be required.
Warwickshire County Councillor Heather Timms, portfolio holder for children, young people and families said: “The consultation clearly lays out our proposals and provides an opportunity for members of the public to tell us what they think. All responses will be carefully considered before any decisions will be taken in the new year.
“In the current financial climate, Warwickshire County Council needs to make significant savings so we are reviewing this transport subsidy along with all of the non-statutory services offered to students and their families.”
Members of the public can find out more about the proposals and respond to the consultation online at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk, by emailing educationtransport@warwickshire.gov.uk or writing to the service:
Children, Young People and Families Directorate,
Saltisford Office Park,
Ansell Way,
Warwick,
CV34 4UL
Closing date for consultation responses is Friday 14 January 2011.