Ending home to school transport

Plans to end home to school discretionary transport will be phased in with a cash subsidy for those eligible - following fears that ending the scheme will hit children who attend faith schools.

The proposal to end all discretionary home to school transport for all children from 1 September 2013 was put forward in the council’s latest round of cuts proposals.

However, the plans caused fears that children attending faith schools would be hit the hardest. Currently, 1,448 pupils receive discretionary bus passes from the council, 1,141 of these pupils attend faith schools.

In response to concerns raised the proposal has been altered meaning that ending discretionary home to school transport will be phased in and those eligible will receive a cash subsidy.

A subsidy of £150 per child per year will be given to those children in Years 8 and 9 of their secondary education in September 2013 who would have been eligible for renewing an existing bus pass but only whilst they remain in attendance at that school.

Children in years 10 and 11 of their secondary education in September 2013 who would have been eligible for renewing an existing bus pass will continue to do so whilst they remain in attendance at that school.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, the Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Colin Lambert said the changes to the proposal “show that we have listened.”

Councillor Wera Hobhouse said she “welcomed” that the Cabinet listened and made the changes. 

Councillor Dale Mulgrew, who campaigned for the proposal to be modified, said: “Although the original proposal has been softened, this change is nothing more than a clever political manoeuvre by the Council Leader and his Labour Cabinet. One which cannot hide the fact they still intend to scrap vital financial help to pupils who attend faith schools in the borough.

“It seems the Council Leader has ignored the concerns and opinions of scores of head teachers, volunteer governors, parents, faith leaders and community leaders. There is no reference to a consideration of families with siblings and to the impact this proposal will have on specific schools within the townships.

“It appears there is no alternative for hard pressed parents in the future under this Council Leader. He expects them to pay a tax for opting into the local faith education system.”

The council will continue to provide free home to school transport for those entitled by law. That is: 

• Children unable to walk to school because of their Special Education Needs, disability or a mobility problem;
• Children living further than the legal walking distances to the nearest suitable school;
• Children unable to walk in safety to school because of the nature and the route;
• Children from low income families 

The council is not legally obliged provide additional support for children attending faith schools rather than their nearest school.