Move to block new school transport policy
Powys County Council’s Liberal Democrat/Labour Cabinet approved the plans despite claims that the policy was flawed and restricted parents’ choice but now face a new challenge from a cross-party group.
A formal request has been sent to the council signed by Independent councillors Beverley Baynham, Graham Breeze (pictured), Bryan Davies and Gareth E. Jones along with Conservative members Aled Davies, Lucy Roberts and John Yeomans calling for the decision to be “called in” for more consideration.
The seven councillors claim the decision is contrary to the policy framework of Powys County Council’s commitment to Zero Carbon by 2030.
The “call-in” claims the Cabinet failed to take into account legal obligations and statutory guidance set out by the Local Government Association in the Gunning Principles which included adequate consultation with all stakeholders such as schools, governors, parents, carers and pupils.
It is also claimed that the Cabinet failed to consider legal obligations in respect of transporting pupils to their nearest school, even when outside the prescribed catchment area.
The draft policy was in front of Cabinet yesterday (Monday) as it needed to be agreed so that it could be implemented by the start of the next school year in September 2025.
The main changes are around the introduction of school catchment area maps and clarifying when a pupil qualifies for transport.
The draft policy was provisionally approved by Cabinet at the end of July to allow a consultation to take place. This consultation was held from August 9 to September 12 and just 131 responses were received.
Questions raised on Monday included why the consultation was run in the Summer holidays and whether sufficient time given, considering the poor number of responses.
The report explained that 55.3% of respondents overall agreed that changing the wording “nearest suitable school” to “catchment area school” made it easier to understand, but only 43% agreed to the change.
The council’s Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer Clive Pinney has acknowledged receipt of the “call-in”.
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