Purpose

Changes to Transport Policy, including
decisions relating to the future of discretionary
transport.

Content

RESOLVED
 
KEY DECISION
 

 

That the Executive:
 

i)          
Updated the format and wording
of the policy to make it easier to understand.

 

ii)        
Retained the discretionary service provision for all
age groups subject to the following changes:

 

a)   
The guaranteed discretionary seat for early
applicants to be withdrawn from all new applications for
transport for September 2024 onwards. In doing so, discretionary
seats will only be available on a first-come-first-served basis if
there is spare capacity on transport arranged for pupils eligible
for free transport.

 

b)   
From September 2024, increase the fare contribution
to £760/seat/year to reduce the subsidy provided by the
Council, funded from general taxation. This will apply to existing
passengers as well as new applicants.

 

iii)       
Reviewed the fare annually in line with the
Council's fees and charge's structure.

 

iv)       
Ceased to provide free transport to linked schools
unless it is the nearest suitable school with places. This would
only affect new applications from September 2024
onwards.

 

v)         
Delegated authority for the approval of the final
draft of the policy to the Executive Member of Highways, Travel and
Assets in consultation with the Executive Director for Place and
Economy.
 

 

Reasons for
Recommendations:
 

·       
The Home to School Transport Budget was overspent by
£4m in 2022/23.  Although the
budget has been increased for 2023/24, there are still pressures on
the budget due to a combination of factors including inflation,
changes in employment legislation (minimum wage and living wage
regulations) and the increase in demand. There is a need to take
action to control spend.

·       
The current service is more than the statutory
minimum required. The proposals and recommendations in this report
focus on the few areas of the Council's discretionary powers where
any financial savings may be obtained from change.

·       
The revisions to the Policy are part of a larger
package of measures to control costs, including improved management
data, and exploration of alternative ways to meet our statutory
obligations.

·       
The demand for transport (both entitled and
discretionary and including Post 16) is in some geographical areas
bordering on commercial service levels and there is therefore
potential to work with operators and other stakeholders to move
responsibility for provision of this service to the commercial
market rather than relying on the Council. This would also benefit
other residents in the same areas by providing an increased public
service for other users. This is in line with the aims of the
Corporate Plan to develop sustainable transport and improve
accessibility across the North Northamptonshire.

·       
The current service is subsidised by the Council,
which is using funds provided from general taxation to benefit
those families who are not eligible for free transport and who
choose to use the Council’s home to school transport service.
These families are not legally entitled to this service and yet the
Council is providing a significant subsidy for their use of
it.

·       
Our current fare and provision of discretionary
transport is undercutting the commercial market, which in turn may
be inhibiting potential commercial growth.

·       
The current fare for discretionary transport has not
been reviewed or increased for 10 years.  In that period costs for travel provision have
increased substantially.  If the
discretionary fare had been increased by 3% year for the last ten
years, it would be approximately £800.

·       
Providing discretionary transport to pupils enables
them to travel from home to school on shared transport rather than
encouraging the use of cars and therefore where spare capacity
exists, it is helpful to offer it for use.

·       
The Government currently has a capped fare scheme in
place with fares capped at £2 per journey. This would equate
to £760 for a home and return journey for the 190 days of
school each year. An increase in fares to this level would
therefore be bringing the fares back in line with current
commercial fares, and would be a reasonable compromise between the
need to off-set costs and the consultation response.

 

 

Alternative Options Considered –

 

All options considered fall within the discretionary
powers of the Council:

 

·       
Make no changes to the policy. This would ensure no
disruption to pupils and their families but would not address the
Council’s financial position and continues with the
significant subsidy towards the service, which is funded by general
taxation.

·       
Reduce entitlement to free transport to those
between 5 and 16 (statutory school age) only i.e., withdraw
entitlement for those under 5 who are attending school in reception
class. This change would result in minimal savings for a
disproportionately negative impact on those not yet of statutory
school age and may discourage parents from starting their child at
school until they are 5 years old.

·       
Enforce the need to change schools for those
changing address in year 11 (exam year) where a place is available
at a nearer school rather than provide transport. This change is
– expected to produce minimal savings and creates disruption
to those in their exam year.

·       
Impose increased statutory walking distance in the
term following a pupil’s 8th birthday; this is
expected to produce minimal savings for the Council.

·       
Retain linked schools only where link is created by
the Local Authority Admissions Board. Remove link where it is
created by other Admissions Board e.g., Academy, Foundation, etc.
This would result in complex administration for the Council costing
more in back-office resources or reducing the level of customer
service provided to residents using the home to school
service.