More on post-16's bus costs

As a Parish Councillor for Dodcott-cum-Wilkesley I became involved in this issue when Cheshire East changed its policy last year.

In effect they reduced their transport subsidy for post 16 transport and then gave the money to the education providers; Reaseheath College, South Cheshire College, Malbank and Brine Leas School.

Reaseheath and South Cheshire already had a transport network but had to extend that to accommodate students who had previously used other transport providers. In the case of South Cheshire they had to take considerable amounts of money from education budgets to ensure their students had access.

Sixth form students at Brine Leas have always used the same school buses that transport under 16s. Last year the cost of a seat on the bus from Lightwood Green and Burleydam was £972.00 per annum and Brine Leas School offered to reimburse parents approximately £300.00 per pupil depending on attendance. I should add that a seat on the bus was dependant on availability; under 16s had priority.

Absurd

This change in policy appeared even more absurd considering that from this year all 17 year olds are required to be in education or training and from 2015 that increases to 18 year olds.

The result of this policy has lead to anomalies in the cost of post-16 school transport.
Last year I paid £266.00 per annum for my son to travel from Lightwood Green to South Cheshire College. Students attending Reasheath paid similar amounts, however students using existing transport provided by Cheshire East Council ended up paying more than £600.00; in effect subsidising Cheshire East's transport provision for under 16s which they have to provide by law.

Query

I queried the situation with Councillor Rachel Bailey and also with local MPs, because if education / training was to be compulsory for 17 year olds, surely the Council should continue to fully subsidise transport.The situation is obviously exacerbated by the lack of suitable public transport in rural areas.

The cost in 2013/14 for a student using an existing Cheshire East service is £890.00 ; even with the subsidy from the education providers, this still represents a huge outlay for families already operating on squeezed budgets.

Further information can be found on Cheshire East website under post 16 Transport policy and there is a bursary fund which is available depending on individual circumstances which can be found at www.gov.uk/16-19-bursary fund

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