Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable Pecuniary Interests declared.

The minutes of the former Cabinet Member for Education meeting held on 20^th April 2016 are attached for information.

The minutes of the meeting of the former Cabinet Member for Education held on 20^th April 2016, submitted for information, were noted.

Report of the Executive Director of People

The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills considered a report of the Executive Director of People that sought approval for a public consultation on a revised Travel Assistance Policy (for school aged children and young people aged 5-16 years old) and an amendment to the existing post 16 Travel Assistance Policy that included the levying of a travel assistance charge for post-16 travel with exemption for low-income families.

Coventry City Council had statutory responsibilities for travel assistance for eligible children and young people. However, it currently over-provided traditional forms of transport for children and young people compared to statutory duties and the provision made by other local authorities.

There were two key consequences of this. Firstly, some children and young people were missing out on the opportunity to develop independent travel skills. Independent travel skills gained in adolescence could be taken forward into adult life. Secondly, there was significant forecast overspend on the Council’s Home to School Transport budget (2016/17 quarter 1 forecast £3.5m spend against a £3.1m budget. Current policies and practice were not aligned with national statutory duties.

The Cabinet Member noted a revised timetable for implementation of the decision as follows:

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills approves a public consultation from 21st November 2016 to 13th January 2017, leading to a report back to the Cabinet on 7th March 2017, on the following:

a)  A revised Travel Assistance Policy (Statutory School Age Children) which aligns the statutory walking distance eligibility criteria to national levels and has a stronger focus on the Council’s travel assistance on public transport and innovative travel options aimed at reducing dependence on minibus and taxi options as appropriate.

b)  A new Travel Assistance Policy for post 16 and post 19 students that fully reflects current statutory requirements. This policy includes a contributory charge towards the cost of travel assistance for all post-16 students whose families do not meet the criteria for low income household concessions.

There are no outstanding issues.

There were no outstanding issues.

Any other items of public business which the Cabinet Member decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no other items of public business.