RECOMMENDED changes to Conwy County Borough Council’s Home to School Transport Policy could save the local authority more than £70,000.

Earlier this year, the council’s education service asked pupils, parents and the public for their opinions on discretionary home to school transport.

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The results of that consultation let to a report being compiled, the recommendations in which are as follows:

  • Transport to Welsh medium schools over the statutory distance when not the nearest school – Retain.
  • Transport for learners who change address during the exam years of their education so that they can remain at the same school – Remove and potentially save £25,000.
  • Transport to denominational schools over the statutory distance – Amend so that evidence of faith can be requested and potentially save £48,000.
  • Transport for Gypsy/Roma/Traveller children within the statutory distance – Retain.
  • Provision of transport to two residences where parents live separately – Amend - restricted to transport within Conwy County Borough.
  • Post 16 transport over the statutory distance – Amend to provide post 16 transport to the nearest educational establishment (the nearest or catchment secondary school / Welsh medium school or to the nearest F.E. college) over the statutory distance.
  • Transport for pupils with medical conditions or additional learning needs (ALN) – Review transport provision in line with existing policy.
  • School transport for other/specific reasons – Review transport provision in line with existing policy.

This report will be presented to the council’s Education and Skills Scrutiny Committee today (July 16), and then to its cabinet on July 23.

Councillors will be asked to consider implementing the recommended changes.

Cllr Julie Fallon, the council’s cabinet member for education, said: “We had an excellent response to the consultation. 

“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to get involved - the well-considered and detailed comments have helped inform the way we’ll update our policy.”