DOCSLIB.ORG

Home to School Transport Budget – Late Buses Key Decision: No July 2011 Part I

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Home to School Transport Budget – Late Buses Key Decision: No July 2011 Part I Cabinet Member for Education and Schools Ref No. ES06 (11/12) Home to School Transport Budget – Late Buses Key Decision: No July 2011 Part I Report by Director of Children’s Services and Electoral Director of Learning Division(s): (or N/A) Executive Summary Late buses are provided at a few secondary schools in West Sussex, usually those with largely rural catchment areas where public transport services are not available at the right times to take children home following after school activities. Traditionally the service has been funded by the County Council although it is not a statutory obligation. Other local authorities either do not provide such a service or charge schools if they do provide it. The current cost to the County Council is about £70,000 per year. As part of the County Council’s strategy to achieve budget savings, it is proposed that this discretionary funding be withdrawn with effect from September 2011. If schools wish to retain the service they will be required to fund it either through their school budget or by taking contributions from parents (or a combination of the two). Otherwise schools would either have to cancel the service or make alternative arrangements. The report summarises the results of consultation with schools which shows that most parents, school staff and governors oppose the proposal. Recommendation(s) It is recommended that: 1. Funding for the provision of late buses should cease at the end of the Summer Term 2011; and that 2. Officer resource will be made available to schools to facilitate the bus service which individual schools require and for which the schools will arrange funding. 1. Background 1.1 As part of the County Council’s Fundamental Service Review (FSR), the home to school and college transport budgets have been reduced by £500,000 in 2010-11 and by a further £500,000 in 2011-12. A review of services provided is being undertaken to ensure that expenditure is kept within budget. 1.2 To meet the target savings it has been necessary to review services which are not a statutory responsibility. This includes the provision of additional buses for children who attend after-school clubs and activities (late buses). Late buses serve schools, generally with rural catchment areas, where public transport services are not available at the times required. The service is provided for ten secondary schools. Typically, the service is provided with buses which carry out the normal home to school transport service and return to the school to do the late bus run. 1.3 Use of the service by pupils is variable, depending on factors such as the schedule of after-school events, cancellation of events and the time of the year. For these reasons a bus might be fully occupied on one day or may only carry one or two children on another day. 1.4 The service, which is valued by most schools with largely rural catchment areas, is over and above the County Council’s statutory obligations. It has been funded for many years from the home to school transport budget and the current cost is approximately £70,000 per annum. 1.5 The evidence through officers’ networks is that other local authorities either do not provide such a service or that schools are charged for the service where it is provided. No other local authority has been identified, where such a service is provided free of charge as it has been in West Sussex. 1.6 In August 2010, the Cabinet Member agreed in principle that the funding for this service should be withdrawn, subject to consultation with the schools affected. 1.7 Following consultation, it is proposed that the funding be withdrawn with effect from September 2011 and that schools be given the option of retaining the service at their expense. If schools take this option, they would be recommended to monitor the demand for the service on each day that it operates to assess whether efficiencies might be possible. If schools decide to charge for some or all of the costs involved, they should have particular regard to the needs of vulnerable pupils including those with special educational needs and disabilities and those from low-income families. Officers will be available to help and advise schools. 1.8 Most schools consulted indicated that they are opposed to the proposal and would not wish to pay for a replacement service. However, it should also be noted that funding is available to support extended school activities through the former School Standards Grant which is allocated within school delegated revenue budgets from 1st April 2011 and the Every Child Matters funding stream. 2. Consultation 2.1 A letter was sent to the head teacher of each school affected with a copy for the chairman of the governing body. The letter explained the proposal, gave indicative costs of the late bus service for the individual school and asked for comments and views for consideration by the Cabinet Member. The schools affected are: • Midhurst Rother College • Imberhorne School • Manhood Community College • The Forest School • Millais School • Tanbridge House School • Rydon Community College • Steyning Grammar School • The Weald School • Westergate Community School 2.2 Head teachers were advised that the proposal was to withdraw County Council funding for the late bus service, but this did not mean that the service itself would have to be withdrawn. There would be an option of paying for the service, taking advantage of the current contract, or making alternative arrangements should they wish. In either case, schools could choose to ask parents for contributions towards the costs. The final option for schools would be to cancel the service, leaving parents to make their own arrangements. 2.2 Representations were received from Head teachers, governors, school staff, pupils and parents. A summary of comments received is attached in Appendix 1. 2.3 The response to the proposal is mixed in that some schools accept the proposal very reluctantly and are prepared to pay for the service or part of it, subject to their own review and available budget. Others, including parents and pupils, very much oppose the proposal as this will adversely affect some of their school population who live in rural areas where there is no available or suitable public transport service. 2.4 Current operators of late bus transport were also consulted. One operator responded indicating that if the late bus operation were withdrawn, he might have to increase the price of the regular school bus run. However, generally the late bus operation is priced and contracted separately. 3. Resource Implications and Value for Money 3.1 The cost of operating this service is about £70,000 per annum. By withdrawing funding for late buses, the saving to the County Council would be achieved either through income from the schools to cover the cost of the contract or through cancellation of the contracts. 3.2 Taking account of a possible increase in the cost of school transport routes, as suggested by one operator, the minimum saving is estimated as follows: 2011-12 £44,000 2012-13 £22,000 3.3 Depending on the decision of individual schools, the current contracts may be maintained. If this is so, the performance of the contracts would be monitored alongside all others. No additional costs would be incurred and none would be passed to schools other than the normal cost of the daily operation of the contract. 4. Risk Management Implications 4.1 A risk of this proposal is a possible increase in car usage. If schools decide to cancel the late bus service for their school, parents will be left to make their own arrangements. This could be mitigated by encouraging car-sharing. However, the overall impact would depend on how much the service is used on any particular day (see 1.3 above). 4.2 Schools may decide to retain the service and recoup the money from parents, but some may choose not to pay and to make their own arrangements. The impact of this could be that more cars would be used. However, bearing in mind the current level of fuel and general motoring costs it is unlikely that the driving option would be financially advantageous other than by car-sharing arrangements. 4.3 The consultation indicates that there would be a negative impact on pupils and their parents. If there were no late buses, pupils for whom no other service is available would not be able to participate in after school clubs and activities. For some, this would mean missing out on activities such as sport and music. Other pupils would not be able to take part in revision classes. This could particularly impact upon those doing GCSEs and sixth form students taking AS and A levels, thus affecting the school’s examination results overall. 4.4 Whilst it is for schools to determine their own priorities and set their budgets, funding is available to schools through the former School Standards Grant which is allocated within school delegated revenue budgets from 1st April 2011, and the Every Child Matters funding stream to support extended school activities. Use of such resources would mitigate the impact upon young people 5. Crime and Disorder Act Implications There is none. 6. Human Rights Act Implications 6.1 Whilst no person is to be denied the right to education, that is only in so far as it is compatible with the provision of efficient instruction and training, and the avoidance of unreasonable public expenditure. The proposal allows schools and /or parents to continue with the service which can be funded through alternative means.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Cutting Edge Developments in International CDP
    Cutting Edge Developments in International CDP Steve Corcoran, Helena Kang International Short Programme Unit University of Chichester Our programme Part of 3 + 3 Model 3 Months Domestic training 3 Months training abroad Extended School Practicum Programme for In-service Korean English Teachers English education policy in Korea NEAT Emphasis on TEE Content-based Instruction Domestic Training - Insufficient School Practicum Arrangements Schools in and around East and West Sussex 11 Schools: Ø Westergate Community School Ø Park Community School Ø Davison CE High School Ø Midhurst Rother College Ø Rydon Community College Ø The Academy, Selsey Ø Seaford College Ø Bishop Luffa CE School Ø Bourne Community College Ø Angmering School Ø Worthing High School School Practicum Arrangements Extended School placement Opportunity to work alongside different teachers in various subjects and/or observe some lessons KTs to function as Classroom Assistants working at the direction of the teachers/school KTs to teach some lessons to small groups, part or whole classes during placement Take an active part in any extra-curricular activities Teach sessions about their own culture or the Korean language University link tutor/mentor Experience of the KTs to date Observation of lessons Staff meetings Form tutorials Assemblies Assisting lessons Subject teaching Field trips and other extra curricular activities Practicum reflections by the KTs ‘Daily record of experience’ Description Teaching and learning methods Similarities and differences What could be adapted for the Korean classroom? Early findings implementing this programme Cultural issues School distance/Transport Difference in perception of roles in School Critical role of Mentor Preparation for this programme .
    [Show full text]
  • Horsham District Council Infrastructure Delivery Plan February 2016 ADD
    APPENDIX Horsham District Council Infrastructure Delivery Plan February 2016 ADD LOGO AND FRONT PAGE TO CONSULTATION VERSION Contents Chapter Title Page 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 National Guidance 5 3.0 Horsham District Planning Framework 6 4.0 Future Growth Across the District 6 5.0 Background to the Infrastructure Delivery Plan 7 6.0 Process of Preparing the Infrastructure Delivery Plan 8 7.0 How will Infrastructure be Delivered 8 8.0 Evidence Base Documents 9 9.0 Summary of Infrastructure Costs 9 10.0 Baseline Infrastructure Provision 9 Transport 10 Highways 10 Railways 12 Cycling/Pedestrians 14 Buses 15 Education 16 Health 18 GPs and Hospitals 18 Ambulance Service 19 Sports and Recreation 19 Allotments 19 Tennis and Mulit-Courts 20 Bowling Greens 20 Built Facilities 21 Village and Community Halls 23 Multi-Functional Greenspace 24 Sports Pitches 25 Youth Areas 26 Library 27 Public Services 27 Fire and Rescue 26 Utilities 28 District Energy Networks 28 Gas 29 Electricity 29 Water Supply, Wastewater Treatment and Sewerage 30 Appendix A Infrastructure List 33 2 1.0 Introduction 1.1 The provision of new homes and the infrastructure required to support them is critical in meeting the economic challenges of delivering sustainable communities. 1.2 The Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) sets out what infrastructure is required to support new growth across the Horsham District. It should however be noted that it does not include areas of the South Downs National Park located towards the south of the district. The National Park Authority is a local planning authority in its own right, although at present it has a delegation agreement with Horsham District Council to determine planning applications in the parts of Horsham that lie within the Park.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 Children with EHCP Or Statement of SEN (Under Age Of
    2016 Children with EHCP or Statement of SEN (under age of 16) 2017 Children with EHCP or Statement of SEN (under age of 16) January 2016 snapshot January 2017 snapshot SCHOOL Total SCHOOL Total Albourne CE Primary School 5 Albourne CE Primary School 3 Aldingbourne Primary School 2 Aldingbourne Primary School 2 All Saints CE Primary School 1 Aldrington CE Primary School 1 APC Burgess Hill Branch 1 All Saints CE Primary School 2 APC Chichester Branch 2 APC Burgess Hill Branch 5 APC Crawley Branch 4 APC Chichester Branch 3 APC Lancing Branch, 2 APC Crawley Branch 1 APC Worthing Branch 2 APC Lancing Branch 3 Appleford School 1 APC Littlehampton Branch 1 Arunside School, Horsham 3 APC Worthing Branch 1 Ashington CE First School 2 Appleford School 1 Balcombe CE Controlled Primary School 1 Arundel CE Primary School 1 Baldwins Hill Primary School 1 Arunside School, Horsham 4 Barnham Primary School 3 Ashington CE First School 4 Barnham Primary School SSC PD 10 Awaiting Provision 7 Barnham Primary SChool SSC SLC 2 Baldwins Hill Primary School 4 Bartons Primary School 4 Barnham Primary School 4 Beechcliff School 1 Barnham Primary School SSC PD 10 Benfield Primary School (Portslade) 2 Barnham Primary SChool SSC SLC 3 Bersted Green Primary School 2 Bartons Primary School 4 Bilingual Primary School 1 Beechcliff Special School 1 Billingshurst Primary School 4 Bersted Green Primary School 3 Birchwood Grove Community P School 3 Bilingual Primary School 1 Birdham CofE Primary School 1 Billingshurst Primary School 2 Bishop Luffa CE School 10 Birchwood Grove
    [Show full text]
  • Information for Parents Admission to Intermediate Or Secondary School in September 2013
    Information for Parents Admission to Intermediate or Secondary School in September 2013 How to apply for a school place Important action required Apply online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions Deadline: Wednesday 31 October 2012 426219_Secondary-Intermediate2013_AW.indd 1 30/08/2012 14:33:12 Apply online For September 2013 at www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions by Wednesday 31 October 2012 Notes If you require further guidance, or if this information is needed in an alternative format, please contact us on 0845 075 1007 and we will try to meet your needs. If English is not your first language then ask an English speaking friend to help you to make the first contact call. 2 | Admission to Intermediate or Secondary School 426219_Secondary-Intermediate2013_AW.indd 2 30/08/2012 14:33:13 Apply online For September 2013 at www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions by Wednesday 31 October 2012 Foreword by the Director of Learning The time has come for you to take the important step of applying for your child’s intermediate or secondary school place for September 2013. All parents are encouraged to apply using the online application system at www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions All the information you need to help you through the process of applying for a school place is in this booklet. Before you complete your application, please take the time to read this important information, in particular the frequently asked questions pages and the admission arrangements for schools, which may help you decide on the best schools for your child. Before deciding which schools to apply for you are strongly encouraged to visit schools and attend their open sessions, to find out for yourself what they can offer your child.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 June 2015 West Chiltington Community School Chair Of
    June 2015 West Chiltington Community School Chair of Governors Report Introduction As we enter the second half of the Summer Term and we start to hopefully enjoy longer and warmer days, I felt that this was an opportune time to update you on the news, work and achievements of the Governing Body that have been made on your behalf since the start of the Autumn Term. The Governing Body is split into two Committees – ‘Quality and Standards’ and ‘Resources’. My Report will give an update on what each committee has been doing and the areas they manage, as well as looking at other areas of the main Governing Body work including: Reconstitution Safeguarding and Child Protection Benchmarking and Working with other Stars Schools ‘Quality & Standards Committee’ – How Good Are we? The ‘Quality and Standards’ committee is responsible for all aspects of academic quality, managing relevant policy, monitoring and reviewing progress with oversight of the Quality Assurance Framework and School Development Plan. In short, it makes sure our school is giving the best possible education, with the best possible curriculum and with the best possible teaching. It monitors our children’s progress to ensure that, wherever possible, every child exceeds his or her expected progress and fulfils his or her maximum potential whilst at our school. Meeting every term to review these areas is only part of the remit. A lot of work is done in between reviewing children’s work: 1:1 progress meetings with staff and the head teacher, observation visits as well as benchmarking with other schools through networking and reviewing published school ‘Dashboard Data’.
    [Show full text]
  • Planning School Places 2013
    PLANNING SCHOOL PLACES 2013 PLANNING SCHOOL PLACES 2013 1 Making a Difference PLANNING SCHOOL PLACES 2013 CONTENTS PAGES 1. Introduction ................................................................... 3 2. Policy and Principles....................................................... 5 3. Summary of Demography, Organisation of School Places and School Capacities ......................................20 4. Short and longer term area based commentaries by District/Borough ............................................................ 27 Adur................................................................................ 28 Arun ............................................................................... 32 Chichester ...................................................................... 39 Crawley .......................................................................... 45 Horsham ......................................................................... 50 Mid Sussex...................................................................... 55 Worthing ........................................................................ 61 5. Appendices and Supporting Data .................................... Appendix 1; net capacities etc at primary schools .......... 66 Appendix 2; net capacities etc at secondary schools ..... 78 Appendix 3; summary of current and projected school populations in West Sussex……………………..82 Appendix 4; establishment of new schools in West Sussex………………………….……….………87 2 Making a Difference PLANNING SCHOOL PLACES 2013 1. INTRODUCTION
    [Show full text]
  • Sussex Fixture Bureau
    SUSSEX FOOTBALL UNION HANDBOOK President Ken Nichols 2013-2014 S U Y S B SE G X RU SCHOOLS FOUNDED 1953 www.sussexrugby.co.uk Headline sponsors of Sussex Rugby Football Union www.shepherdneame.co.ukwwww..shepherdneame.co.uk SUSSEX RUGBY HANDBOOK CONTENTS GENERAL Affiliated Clubs contacts ..........................................................................................20 Appointments, Executive Officers, Representatives ..................................................8 CB Meetings and CB Fixtures ....................................................................................5 Child Safeguarding ..................................................................................................82 Club Code of Conduct ..............................................................................................3 County Coaches ......................................................................................................84 Community Rugby Development Team....................................................................79 COMPETITIONS County Championship Senior and U 20 ..........................................................70 Kick-off times ..................................................................................................37 National, London & SE League Fixtures ..........................................................45 Replacements ..................................................................................................68 Sussex Spitfire and RFU Knockouts................................................................39
    [Show full text]
  • Educational Need for Secondary School Places
    Our Ref: 02/730 Date: 18 September 2018 EDUCATIONAL NEED FOR SECONDARY PLACES – SOUTHWATER West Sussex County Council have a statutory duty to plan for school provision in their area, accommodating growth, so that all children of school age can be provided school places. There are four ‘school planning areas’ in Horsham District, which the County Council use for predicting school need. Those relevant to Southwater Secondary School provision are ‘Horsham East’ and ‘Horsham West’. In these areas WSCC have historically had a major issue with capacity in secondary schools. A school is considered at capacity when it reaches 95% of all its school places in use and since 2011, all secondary schools in this area have been at (or beyond) capacity: Strategic Development planned for North Horsham will only exacerbate this need for secondary school places and as such a new secondary school is proposed at North Horsham. In the short term, the capacity issues are being resolved through numbers of measures including: A 2 form entry capacity increase at Tanbridge House School; A temporary ‘embryo’ school opening for year 7 pupils only in porta cabins, whilst the new permanent school is delivered in North Horsham; ‘Bulge’ classes being accommodated in some schools. In light of this pressure on the system, the Southwater Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group have considered whether local educational infrastructure in the parish is sufficient. Enplan, 10 Upper Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2EP Offices also at Milton Keynes Directors: PG Russell-Vick DipLA CMLI • MA Carpenter BA(Hons) MRTPI • RJ Hodgetts BA(Hons) DipLA CMLI 01892 545460 [email protected] www.enplan.net Enplan is the trading name of Enplan UK Limited.
    [Show full text]
  • Admission Arrangements for Community and Part I Voluntary Controlled Schools 2014/2015
    Cabinet Member for Education and Schools ES34 (12.13) March 2013 Key Decision: Yes Admission Arrangements for Community and Part I Voluntary Controlled Schools 2014/2015 Report by Head of Learning Electoral Division(s): All Executive Summary There is a statutory requirement to consult on admission arrangements each year. The proposals have proved to be largely uncontroversial for September 2014. Recommendation That the Cabinet Member for Education and Schools approves the admission arrangements for the academic year 2014/2015 as detailed in Appendix A of this report. 1. Background 1.1 The County Council is the admission authority for community and voluntary controlled schools in West Sussex. The admission authority for a voluntary aided or foundation school or an Academy (including a free school) is the governing body. 1.2 All Local Authorities must consult those parties prescribed by the Secretary of State for Education on their admission arrangements for September 2014 by 1st March 2013. Arrangements must then be determined by 15th April 2013. Any objections must be lodged with the Schools Adjudicator by 30th June 2013. 2. Discussion 2.1 Admission arrangements in West Sussex work well, as all children receive an offer of a school place on time; the overwhelming majority (91.3% in September 2012) at the school requested first by their parents. 2.2 In April 2012, the Cabinet Member for Education and Schools approved the current admission arrangements. There are some proposed changes to these arrangements, most of which are of a minor nature or result from the pre- consultation survey that was undertaken.
    [Show full text]
  • School Admission Arrangements for 2017/2018 a Summary of The
    1 School Admission Arrangements for 2017/2018 A Summary of the Starting School/Transfer Process for Schools in West Sussex for 2017/2018 1. On the website, the Pupil Admissions Team provides parents with information on West Sussex schools and how to apply, online or on paper. 2. Parents may obtain supplementary information forms (SIFs) directly from own admission authority schools, where necessary, or from the Local Authority (LA). 3. The Pupil Admissions Team receives all applications. Application forms sent directly to schools are passed to the Pupil Admissions Team. All applications received by schools should be date stamped. Those received after the closing date should be date stamped and marked ’Late’. 4. Parents may return the supplementary information form (SIF) directly to the school concerned or to the LA. The school is required to inform the Pupil Admissions Team of any forms it receives to check there has been a valid application made. 5. The Pupil Admissions Team passes a list of the applications for voluntary aided, foundation and out of county schools and academies to the relevant admission authority. 6. All admission authorities order all applications against their oversubscription criteria. 7. Ordered lists of applications are returned to the Pupil Admissions Team as specified on the agreed timelines. 8. Late applications for community and voluntary controlled schools are processed after those received by the official closing date, unless it has been agreed to treat them as having been received on-time. Late applications to voluntary aided or foundation schools or academies will be passed to the relevant school(s) for late consideration and returned for an offer to be made by the LA.
    [Show full text]
  • Information for Parents Admission to Secondary Or Intermediate School in September 2012
    Information for Parents Admission to Secondary or Intermediate School in September 2012 How to apply for a school place Important action required Apply online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions Deadline: Monday 31 October 2011 Apply online For September 2012 at www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions by Monday 31 October 2011 Notes If you require further guidance, or if this information is needed in an alternative format, please contact us on 0845 075 1007 and we will try to meet your needs. If English is not your first language then ask an English speaking friend to help you to make the first contact call. 2 | Admission to Secondary or Intermediate School Apply online For September 2012 at www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions by Monday 31 October 2011 Foreword by the Director of Operations, Learning You have been sent this booklet because your child is due to transfer to the next stage of their education in September 2012. This booklet is designed to help you through the process of applying for a school place. Please read and keep it safe as it contains all the information you need about school admissions in West Sussex and you may wish to refer to it again. Before you complete your application, you are strongly encouraged to visit schools and attend their open sessions, to find out for yourself what they can offer your child. Although most children can be given a place at their parents’ first preference school, this is not always possible. It is therefore important that you provide three preferences for the schools you would like your child to attend and that you apply by the national deadline of Monday 31 October 2011.
    [Show full text]
  • Connected, Contemporary, Country Living a New Neighbourhood for Historic Pulborough
    CONNECTED, CONTEMPORARY, COUNTRY LIVING A NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD FOR HISTORIC PULBOROUGH Inspired by the historic charm of Pulborough village, Brookfields is a new neighbourhood of exemplary homes offering connected, contemporary country living. BROOKFIELDS BY LATIMER WELCOME HOME Surrounded by the rolling Sussex countryside of the South Downs, close to the coast and within reach of London, Brookfields brings together tree-lined lanes, leafy open spaces and natural meeting places to create a new, enduring and distinctive neighbourhood, welcome to all. Homes here are a harmonious mix of spacious and well appointed two to five bedroom family houses, generous bungalows and light-filled apartments. Rising above Brookfields, Pulborough’s church spire signposts everyday necessities at hand: primary schools, health centres, convenient local shopping and other essentials for contemporary country living. Computer generated image is indicative only BROOKFIELDS BY LATIMER LIVING WELL AT BROOKFIELDS IS THE SUM OF MANY THINGS: LOCAL LIFE, HIGH LIFE, WILDLIFE AND THE BEST OF COUNTRY LIFE. A CHARMING VILLAGE LIFESTYLE Pulborough’s high street has been bustling since Roman times. These days it’s an ideal mix of post office and pubs, banks and butchers, cafés and supermarkets. Located within the South Downs National Park there is lots to enjoy and explore, all conveniently close by, from historic Sussex houses and castles, to nature reserves and National Trust, restaurants and famous vineyards. Pulborough’s nearby station sends trains directly through the glories of the Arun valley to London, Arundel and the South Coast. With an established, flourishing local scene, and a thriving modern village hall, Pulborough has something for Brookfields residents of all ages and interests, from horticulture to high culture: Cubs and Brownies, rugby and football for men, women and juniors, cricket and cycling, bridge and bowls.
    [Show full text]