Agenda item

(Report by Mr M Whiting, Cabinet Member, Education, Learning and Skills and Mr P Leeson, Corporate Director, Education, Learning & Skills)

(Mr S Bagshaw, Head of Fair Access, was also present for this Item)

1.               Mr Leeson introduced the decision report and stated that although there was a need to agree the post 16 Transport Policy a key driver behind the proposals is the Authority’s responsibility to ensure full participation in learning and work based training for all post 16 students in a fair and sustainable way to age 18 by 2012.  KCC will continue to offer a financial subsidy if this policy is agreed.

2.               Mr Bagshaw referred to the tabled documents, the completed “Equality Impact Assessment” and the summary of feedback on the “Public Consultation” and apologised that the information was not published with the agenda due to the consultation closing on Friday, 4 May.

3.               Mr Bagshaw set out the process that was followed to reach the stage of having a policy and criteria.  This included a six week consultation designed to target schools, colleges training providers, Kent Youth Council and post 16 learners. The key message from the consultees was that this was welcomed.  There were suggestions received including; extending the travel pass to 24 year olds and rail travel although this was not part of the consultation. 

4.               Mr Whiting advised that the decision had to be taken on 31 May 2012 to meet the annual deadline.

5.                Following a short time to read the tabled documents, Members were given the opportunity to make comments and ask questions  which included the following:-

a)    In response to a question, Mr Bagshaw advised that this travel pass would allow the students to travel by bus out of school and college hours and on weekends very similar to the benefits of the Freedom Pass.

b) Mr Bagshaw responded to a question explaining that the current yearly travel pass (cost £490) entitling learners to a single journey at the beginning and end of the schools or college day only. This new travel deal was £520 for the year but gave unlimited travelling by bus throughout the day.  The true cost to KCC was £750 per pass.  There was the option of further subsidy and lower cost to the learners who meet the family income criteria, if supported by the schools and colleges through their government funded bursary.

c)  It was suggested that clear communication and publicity on the travel pass needed to be produced and circulated to young people as quickly as possible.  Mr Bagshaw said that work has been undertaken with the schools and colleges on this and the information that had been circulated to date was clear o the travel pass, but recognised that further communication to young people was needed.

d)  It was suggested that as young people had commented on the inclusion of rail travel there may be a window of opportunity to speak with the rail companies as new franchises for the railways were due to be sold.  Mr Bagshaw agreed that KCC would be in a position to offer support to the school and colleges in buying rail passes

e)  In reply to a question Mr Bagshaw explained that the schools and colleges already had the facility in place for students to make monthly payments which would be extended to the travel pass.  Mr Leeson added that it was important to support the most vulnerable students to stay in learning until they are18-19 years old and monthly payments would assist with this.  The eligibility criteria helped with consistency in how the students request the funds from the schools and colleges. 

f)      In reply to a question, Mr Bagshaw advised that the total cost of the scheme was £1.1m.  (This was £1.55m to be reduced in the year of transition to £1.1m).

g)    Mr Whiting gave his assurance that a summary of the details on the travel Pass would be circulated to the Locality Boards.

6.               RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member decision to approve the policy on the proposed Post 16 Transport Policy and Eligibility criteria to allow schools and colleges to secure a travel pass which will provide extended access to all students in a fair and sustainable way, be endorsed and signed on 31 May 2012.