Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
18
Nov 2024
MP presents 2,000 signature school transport petition to House of Commons
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon has presented a 2,000 signature petition opposing changes to home to school transport in North Yorkshire to the House of Commons.
In July, North Yorkshire Council has approved controversial cuts that will limit free transport for pupils to their nearest school.
However, opponents have called for the cuts to the be reversed amid concerns over the impact on local communities and schools.
Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, presented a petition to the House of Commons this past week calling for the government to work with the council to reallocate funds to school transport.
Mr Gordon said:
The home to school transport policy is not fit for purpose in its new form so having a policy that encompasses and understands the needs of rural people and rural communities is really key. And on that, North Yorkshire (Council) have failed.
This decision to reduce free school transport services across North Yorkshire has been poorly thought through. It disadvantages children in rural communities and threatens to undermine some of the best schools in the county. That there is little evidence to suggest it will result in cost savings makes it even more absurd. We need to make sure all children in North Yorkshire get the support and education they need.
Earlier this year, councillors voted to reduce the service to its statutory minimum in a move it hopes will contribute £4.2 million towards £48 million savings over the next four years.
The annual cost of providing school transport has more than doubled since 2018/19 to £51 million and is now the Conservative-run council's third-largest source of expenditure behind adult social care and waste management, a full council meeting heard.
The new home-to-school travel policy, which was adopted by 48 votes to 26, will be phased in over seven years.
At the time, Cllr Gareth Dadd, Conservative deputy leader of the council, said:
We currently provide some transport services which go beyond our statutory duty. Increases in the cost of fuel, transport and insurance mean that we have to bring the policy into line with the Department for Education guidance and target resource at those who most need it. If we do nothing, then the rising cost of home to school travel could have a crippling effect on the other services we must deliver by law.
We understand the concerns from parents and carers around transporting children and young people to the school of their choice, as well as concerns if siblings will attend different schools due to travel costs. However, parents and carers still have a choice as to where to send their children. It is important for them to now factor in travel costs if they choose a school that is not their nearest school.
0