Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: December 10, 2024

Purpose:

Content: (1)       Save Bingley Grammar School bus services from Bradford Council cuts.   Resolved-   That the petition be referred to the Executive.   To be actioned by: Strategic Director Children’s Services/Interim Director of Legal and Governance   At the start of the meeting under Council Standing Order 9.1.2 a vote was taken to re-order the business on the agenda to move Motions 12.1(Protecting School Bus Services) and 12.7 (Reinstatement of the School Bus Services to St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic Academy) to be considered with the petition under item 6 (Reconsider Cuts to the School Bus Services that serve St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College).   Resolved-   That under Council Standing Order 9.1.2 to re-order the business on the agenda to move Motions 12.1 (Protecting School Bus Services) and Motion 12.7 (Reinstatement of the School Bus Services to St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic Academy) to be considered under item 6 - Petitions.   At the start of the meeting under Council Standing Order 9.1.4 a further vote was taken to combine Motions 12.1 and 12.7 and the petition (Reconsider Cuts to the School Bus Services that serve St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College).   Resolved –   That under Council Standing Order 9.1.4 the debates on Motions 12.1 (Protecting School Bus Services), 12.7 (Reinstatement of the School Bus Services to St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic Academy) and the petition (Reconsider Cuts to the School Bus Services that serve St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College) which has more than 1500 signatures and therefore qualifies for a debate, be combined.   (A separate vote was taken on each motion and the petition)     PETITION -   RECONSIDER CUTS TO THE SCHOOL BUS SERVICES            THAT SERVE ST BEDE’S AND ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC            COLLEGE Motion 12.1  PROTECTING SCHOOL BUS SERVICES Motion 12.7  REINSTATEMENT OF THE SCHOOL BUS SERVICES TO ST                       BEDE’S AND ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC ACADEMY   Motion 12.1   As set out in the published agenda Motion 12.1 was moved by Councillor Edwards and seconded by Councillor Watson.   In accordance with Council Standing Orders 18.4  and 18.8  an amendment (additional published papers Amendment A) was moved by Councillor Sullivan and seconded  by Councillor Majkowski.   In accordance with Council Standing Orders 18.4  and 18.8  a second amendment (additional published papers Amendment B) was moved by Councillor Duffy and seconded  by Councillor Hinchcliffe.   Following a number of speakers in accordance with Council Standing Order 18.12 Amendment B as set out below was then put to the vote, was carried and became the substantive motion, was then voted on and was carried.            Resolved-   That with the addition and deletion of the appropriate words, the motion be amended to read as follows:   Council notes:   Bradford Council values all schools in the district, both faith schools and non-faith schools alike, going above and beyond for our children.  Bingley Grammar and St Bede’s and St Joseph’s are good schools who are giving of their best for our children in their care.   Bradford Council, like many councils across the country, is under extreme financial pressure after 14 years of Conservative austerity and has to look at how savings can be made. The council does not propose cuts to any services lightly.   The statutory guidance states that whilst councils are required to have regard to the wish of a parent to have their child educated at a school based on their religion or belief, this does not mean that councils must arrange travel to such a school based on that choice, unless a child qualifies under the extended right of low income.    The Council is currently in a consultation period about proposed cuts to school transport at St Bede’s and St Joseph’s and Bingley Grammar.  An initial Equality Impact Assessment has been completed.  No decision has been made, neither can any decision be made before that consultation period is complete.    Council resolves to: Listen to all views, including those of children and young people, families and schools. Have regards to the expressed concerns of families about the effects that the withdrawal of the bus services would have on their family life and on the young people and develop the Equality Impact Assessment further to reflect relevant concerns. Once the consultation period is concluded, make sure the petitions from full council are presented to the Executive along with all other submissions, facilitate further discussions with stakeholders, including schools, parents, WYCA, the Catholic Diocese of Leeds and the bus companies, to examine the conclusions and the way forward.   To be actioned by: Strategic Director Children’s Services       Motion 12.7   As set out in the published agenda Motion 12.7 was moved by Councillor Islam and seconded by Councillor Ishtiaq Ahmed.   In accordance with Council Standing Orders 18.4  and 18.8  an amendment (additional published papers Amendment L) was moved by Councillor Majkowski and seconded  by Councillor Sullivan.   In accordance with Council Standing Orders 18.4  and 18.8  a second amendment (additional published papers Amendment M) was moved by Councillor Duffy and seconded  by Councillor Hinchcliffe.   Following a number of speakers in accordance with Council Standing Order 18.12 Amendment M as set out below was then put to the vote, was carried and became the substantive motion, was then voted on and was carried.            Resolved (as detailed in Motion 12.1) -   That with the addition and deletion of the appropriate words, the motion be amended to read as follows:   Council notes:   Bradford Council values all schools in the district, both faith schools and non-faith schools alike, going above and beyond for our children.  Bingley Grammar and St Bede’s and St Joseph’s are good schools who are giving of their best for our children in their care.   Bradford Council, like many councils across the country, is under extreme financial pressure after 14 years of Conservative austerity and has to look at how savings can be made. The council does not propose cuts to any services lightly.   The statutory guidance states that whilst councils are required to have regard to the wish of a parent to have their child educated at a school based on their religion or belief, this does not mean that councils must arrange travel to such a school based on that choice, unless a child qualifies under the extended right of low income.    The Council is currently in a consultation period about proposed cuts to school transport at St Bede’s and St Joseph’s and Bingley Grammar.  An initial Equality Impact Assessment has been completed.  No decision has been made, neither can any decision be made before that consultation period is complete.    Council resolves to:   Listen to all views, including those of children and young people, families and schools. Have regards to the expressed concerns of families about the effects that the withdrawal of the bus services would have on their family life and on the young people and develop the Equality Impact Assessment further to reflect relevant concerns. Once the consultation period is concluded, make sure the petitions from full council are presented to the Executive along with all other submissions, facilitate further discussions with stakeholders, including schools, parents, WYCA, the Catholic Diocese of Leeds and the bus companies, to examine the conclusions and the way forward.   To be actioned by: Strategic Director Children’s Services     PETITION -   Reconsider cuts to the school bus services that serve St Bede’s and St Jospeh’s Catholic College.   Resolved-   That the petition be referred to the Executive.   To be actioned by:  Strategic Director Children’s Services/Interim Director of Legal and Governance