Warwickshire News Mine

Following a period of public consultation, cabinet agreed to a review of the provision of passenger assistants on vehicles transporting children to primary school, and to revised charges associated with the Council’s Vacant Seats Scheme. They also approved widening the criteria used to define those students considered to be from a low-income family.

The changes will be effective from September 2011 but the review of passenger assistants will be a gradual process as each of the county’s services will need to be considered individually.

Each service potentially affected will be looked at, with passenger assistants still provided in certain situations. These include where the children require an escort from the pick up / drop off point, if there is risk of behavioural problems on the vehicle, or where a passenger assistant is considered necessary due to the ages of the children travelling.

It is anticipated that this change in policy could eventually save in the region of £700 000.

Warwickshire County Councillor, Heather Timms, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families said: "We have considered the responses to the consultation and have decided to introduce the proposed changes, necessary to make essential savings over the next three years.

“We will be taking a flexible approach to passenger assistants and will carefully consider each service ensuring the safety of the children comes first.

“I am mindful that the unavoidable increase in charges for the Vacant Seats Scheme may affect some parents so we have extended the criteria to define low income families, and we will do all we can to help those struggling with the increased termly charges.”

The public consultation launched on Monday 10 January and ran until 18 February 2011. Around 150 responses were received, the majority of which were opposed to the proposals.

For more information please visit the website at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/schooltransport

Link to WCC