Parish pressure on post 16 bus passes

Audlem Parish Council is to press MP Stephen O'Brien to do more about securing school bus passes for over 16s.

And they are to ask Cheshire East Council to consider easing the economic burden on older pupils by rethinking its policy on subsidising school transport costs.

Councillor Dave Siddorns told this week's meeting of Audlem Parish Council: "This is nothing more than discrimination against children living in rural communities."

And he criticised Cheshire East Council for lack of clarity in its consultation on issues such as school bus fare subsidies.

"Cheshire East puts consultation exercises on its website but does not publicise them. No one knows they are there," he added.

The Parish Council is also to write to Cheshire East ward councillor Rachel Bailey and council leader Michael Jones on the issue.

It is not clear what effect the Parish Council pressure will have. Angry parents have already protested to Cheshire East, the MP, councillors, schools and bus companies about the situation without success.

Customer Manager at Cheshire East, Sarah Tunstall, recently told a concerned Audlem parent: "The Council has no statutory obligation to offer transport support for students continuing in education beyond statutory school age".

Parents have been told that Brine Lees School will only contribute up to £250 towards travel costs and that will be on a 'means tested' and attendance basis.

It means that post 16 Audlem students must now buy a weekly bus pass from GHA Buses at a cost of around £684 a year while youngsters from villages like Burleydam may have to find more than £900.

And the policy change comes as all 17 year olds are required to be in some form of education or training, rising to 18 years in 2015.

Detailed information on the council's post 16 transport policy information can be found on Cheshire East website here while details of possible bursaries to help with funding can be found at www.gov.uk/16-19-bursary fund

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