To consider the attached report setting out proposals to phase out concessionary home to school/college transport assistance.

The Council made the following recommendation to the Mayor:

It was proposed by Councillor Pritchard and seconded by Councillor Kingscote:

That all discretionary home to school/college transport assistance be phased out over a period of three years as detailed in section 5.2 a) - f) of the submitted report.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Cowell and seconded by Councillor James:

That all discretionary home to school/college transport assistance be phased out over a period of three years as detailed in section 5.2 a) - c) only (ie. excluding d), e) and f).

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared lost.

The original motion was then put to the vote and was declared carried.

The Mayor considered the recommendation of the Council as set out above at the meeting and the record of his decision, together with further information, is attached to these Minutes.

To consider the proposed changes to the Home to School Transport Policy and to make any recommendations to the Council.

The Board considered a report on proposals to phase out concessionary home to school/college transport assistance over a three year period.  The Board recalled that it had first considered the issue in January 2013 when it was proposed to remove all discretionary assistance from September 2013.

A public consultation on the proposal had been undertaken for a period of four weeks in April and May 2013.  The consultation had been available on the Council’s website and all schools and academies had been contacted, together with South Devon College, and asked to alert parents, pupils and governors to the consultation.  The Dioceses of Plymouth and Exeter had also been consulted.

The Board questioned the likely impact on South Devon College as a result of the change in policy.  However, the Board were informed that there was now a greater choice in sixth form provision across Torbay then there had been in the past.

Resolved:  that the Director of Children’s Services investigate how the Council can monitor the impact on South Devon College of the changes in the discretionary home of school/college transport policy and the changes in the market provision for further education.