Have your say on proposed cuts to school travel to save £570,000

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Cheshire East CouncilI is consulting the public on a number of proposed cuts to their school travel service which would save up to £570,000 over the next two financial years.

The Council says the proposals would bring the authority in line with many other councils locally and across the country, who have already reviewed their school travel policies in accordance with national statutory government requirements.

The proposals include cutting transport for children whose parents have a disability, 8 to 11 year olds that live less than 3 miles from the nearest suitable school and for pupils with temporary medical conditions due to an accident, planned surgery or illness.

Within the policy there is the proposal to extend direct payments, so that parents who are eligible for travel support can make their own transport arrangements if this is a lower-cost option. Also proposed is a new training scheme to support young people who have an education, health and care plan, where appropriate, to travel independently to school.

These changes, if introduced, would reduce the council's annual £8.9m spend on school transport by up to £570,000 over the next two financial years.

Councillor George Hayes, cabinet member for children and families, said: "I would encourage everyone to tell us what they think and provide suggestions on what exceptions the council should consider and why. This consultation is an opportunity to influence the policies before they are adopted by the council."

The consultation period runs from Wednesday, 18th October, to Friday 24th November. All the details can be found at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk or by calling 0300 123 5012.

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Cheshire East Council
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Fiona Doorbar
Wednesday 18th October 2017 at 5:18 pm
Hopefully the saving might be ploughed into providing more secondary places within the Alderley catchment so that those kids that miss out on a place at Wilmslow High don't need to be transported by taxi to the next nearest school. Are there any plans for a brand new school or at least increased capacity at WHS before all the new houses spring up? Planning should not be allowed without this being addressed.
Harry Martin
Friday 27th October 2017 at 7:51 am
The word disabled is very broad. As usual it is this category that is targeted for cuts.Before cutting these costs practical solutions need to be it in place as there are safeguarding and medial issues to be addressed before radical changes are implemented.For some families the psychological impact needs addressing too .Long term this could be costly not only financially.
Alan Brough
Friday 27th October 2017 at 9:02 am
Yet another example of the completely dis-jointed and damaging thinking that has become characteristic of CEC.

Our road network is already gridlocked at peak times, due in large part to irresponsible planning policy and failure to address transport infrastructure issues before allowing "development."

By removing school transport they simply multiply the number of vehicle journeys necessary to make the school-run.

If an example were needed, look at the difference in traffic through the airport tunnels comparing term time with school holidays - it was never like that before Trafford Council removed school transport.

Should we expect better from our (in their words) "High Achieving" (in my words) "Highly Deceiving" Council?