Meeting documents

Mr D Dhillon, Local Member for Cliveden and resident of Farnham Common presented questions around home to school transport within both divisions. 

In reference to Cliveden, Mr Dhillon stated that in 2015, residents of Dorney had provided evidence that the walking route from Dorney to Burnham Park Academy or Burnham Park Grammar was deemed unsafe.  The evidence went to appeal and in 2017 a private operator was arranged by Buckinghamshire County Council to transport students.   It had been predicted that in 2019, 30 children from the area would be attending Burnham Grammar School as a result of the closure of Burnham Park Academy, making it the most appropriate school.  Mr Dhillon stated that there were some residents who lived 2.9 miles from Burnham Park Grammar School, meaning that their children did not qualify for free home to school transport.  However due to the walking route having been identified as unsafe, free transport should be provided. 

Mr Tett, Leader, summarised Mr Dhillon’s question and stated that any children who would be unsafe walking from home to school would be eligible for free transport.  It was highlighted that in year 7 the boundary for free transport was two miles as opposed to three miles. 

Mr T Vouyioukas, Executive Director for Children’s Services agreed to look into the specific case to understand Buckinghamshire County Council’s position, and would respond to Mr Dhillon directly. 

In regards to Farnham Common, Mr Dhillon highlighted that the Beeches Local Area Forum (LAF) had identified an ongoing problem with paid for home to school transport in that there was no nearest appropriate school.  Until the previous year children had been using the 74 bus for school transport but this route had now been changed.   Parents had attended the LAF to present the issue, but there had been an increase in the number of effected children since.   13 children were yet to be allocated a bus place two weeks before the start of the school year.   Mr Dhillon wanted to know what assurance would be given to parents where there was a lack of transport and what would be done to help them.  There were concerns over children’s safety as transport was unavailable. 

Mr Tett stated that he was aware that things had not run well with home to school transport this year and had received a large number of emails and correspondence in relation to the issues.   Mr Tett apologised on behalf of the County Council to all parents that had not received the service they should have done and gave assurance that the issue would be looked in to.

Lin Hazell highlighted the identified route to transport children to Beaconsfield, but stated that the route was not satisfactory.  The route provided would take an hour which was too long.  

Mr Tett invited Mr P Robson, Interim Head of Integrated Transport, to provide a response.  Mr Robson stated that there were concerns over paid for transport and although there was no statutory duty to provide this it was constantly reviewed with commercial operators.  Transport was currently provided on a voluntary and partnership arrangement basis and the home to school transport service was working with commercial operators to take on additional school services.   Buckinghamshire County Council had secured 21 bus services from September 2019, and a further 30 from November 2019.  Mr Robson highlighted the enthusiasm from commercial services to provide home to school transport, but acknowledged that this did not detract from the difficulties parents experienced and ongoing work to collaborate with commercial services would continue. 

Mr Tett summarised the issues discussed, and stated that the issue would be taken away and looked into to try and resolve.  Mr Tett gave apologies for any difficulties experienced and stated that he would not give commitment on this occasion to change the policy but needed to work with parents to get the best result. 

Mr Dhillon gave thanks on behalf of the residents of Burnham for the recommendation included in the household recycling centre item on the agenda to keep Burnham Household Recycling Centre open.  In response to this Mr Tett highlighted that he did not want to pre-empt the decision, but that this issue would be addressed later in the agenda.   

Ms N Glover, Local Member for Wing highlighted the recent Looked After Children event held at Missenden Abbey.  Ms Glover praised the achievements of two care leavers and the commitment from officers and foster carers.  It was highlighted by Ms Glover that the service had a lot to be proud of on behalf of Buckinghamshire’s foster carers.  Mr Tett and Mr Whyte thanked Ms Glover for her comments.