Post 16 bus travel

A further brief update of progress (or lack of) on the post 16 bus travel issue.

This is a situation that has been allowed to develop which affects families with post 16 students travelling from outlying areas such as Audlem to the sixth form facility at Brine Leas School in Nantwich. These students are:

• Continuing in post 16 education and have no independent source of income
• Using their nearest sixth form facility

Cheshire East no longer fund a school bus pass for post 16 students; this requires them to buy a weekly bus pass from GHA Buses at a cost of around £684 annually (£18 x 38 weeks).

I believe this to be unfair, inequitable and contrary to the DofE vision: "Our vision is for a highly educated society in which opportunity is more equal for children and young people no matter what their background or family circumstances".

Students requiring bus transport to continue in full time education are being treated as an income earning adult would be – no free bus pass, no concessionary fares and a discretionary subsidy from the school equating to less than 40% of the total cost. They are being penalised for their family circumstances i.e. living in areas requiring a bus ride to their nearest post 16 educational facility.

I have contacted several individuals or bodies here with the hope of some support:

• 1. Stephen O'Brien MP – Mr O' Brien had said he was in dialogue with the CE leader. However he subsequently sent me a copy of the written response which was not from the leader and was just a cut and paste of a negative letter I had already received. The weight of the MP seemingly adds nothing. Despite me asking him the direct question THREE times by email, Mr O'Brien has not indicated whether he supports my argument or not.
• 2. Edward Timpson MP in his capacity as a DfE minister. He has replied and basically said it is a Cheshire East Issue: "Transport requirements for 16-19 year olds are different in each local area and while we agree that costs should not be too high, the Government believes that local authorities are best placed to balance priorities and make decisions about local services with the resources they have available."
• 3. Rachel Bailey, local councillor and Lead Member for Children and Families. Rachel has agreed to meet me but again, despite repeated requests she has not indicated whether she supports the CE position or not.
• 4. Cheshire East Council – I have complained to Sarah Tunstall, Customer quality Manager at Cheshire East who replied "The Council has no statutory obligation to offer transport support for students continuing in education beyond statutory school age". This same response was subsequently given to Stephen O'Brien MP.
• 5. Local Government Ombudsman – As Cheshire East effectively "closed" my complaint, I have referred it to the Local Government Ombudsman on the grounds that I believe the policy to be unfair. I await their reply which is due inside 20 days
• 6. Brine Leas school – The school has confirmed that they intend to contribute up to £250 but on a "means tested" basis and that there is also a means tested bursary fund potentially available.
• 7. GHA Transport – I have contacted them and asked them to consider a student bus pass. They have responded...saying they are giving it consideration.

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