Issue - meetings

 Report of the Corporate Director, Neighbourhood and Planning is circulated

The views of a Rapid Scrutiny exercise to be held on 8 September 2011 will be circulated.

Written Representations

The following members of the public submitted written representations either in the form of a question or a statement:

Paul Hughes, Headteacher, St Joseph’s Catholic School, Salisbury

Sharon Pearce

Camilla Whipp

Father Jean Patrice Coulon, Parish Priest of the Catholic Parish of Devizes

Sarah Westhoff

Colette and Dave Williams

Stuart and Hazel Donaldson

Mike Corcoran

Kate Saunders

William and Petrella Pope

Anthony Leonard OBE

Michael Stevenson MBE, Chair of Governors, St Augustine’s Catholic College,        

     Trowbridge

Emma Kayne, Governor, St Patrick’s Primary School, Corsham

Francis White

Elizabeth Sian Bredif

Jayne Keogh

Verbal representations

The following members of the public made verbal representations at the meeting:

Paul Hughes, Headteacher, St Joseph’s Catholic School, Salisbury

Emma Kayne, Governor, St Patrick’s Primary School, Corsham

Francis White

Anthony Leonard OBE

Father Jean Patrice Coulon, Parish Priest of the Catholic Parish of Devizes

Mr Mortimer

Miss R McLoughlin, Headteacher, St Patrick’s Primary School, Corsham

Governor, St John’s Catholic Primary School, Trowbridge

Willow Kayne and Lauren Wales, pupils at St Patrick’s Primary School,

    Corsham

Mary Ellis, Parent of children at St Patrick’s and St Augustine’s

Sheila White

Tony Lowe

Alistair Erdozain

Sarah Westhoff

Canon Twomey

Michael Stevenson MBE, Chair of Governors, St Augustine’s Catholic College,

    Trowbridge

Dr Mike Thompson, Clifton Diocese Co-opted Member to the Children's

    Services Select Committee

Ian McNiff, Clifton Diocese Director of Schools & Colleges

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The Leader welcomed all those present who had particularly attended the meeting for this item. 

It was noted that as a result of significant budget pressures, the Council had had to review all the services it currently provided. This had included a review of all discretionary transport provision. Cllr Dick Tonge, Cabinet member for Highways and Transport presented a report which sought approval for a change to the Council’s Education Transport Policy in respect of denominational home-to-school transport, in order achieve financial savings.

The proposals had been the subject of consultation with those affected. Responses to the consultation had been summarised in the report presented with copies of representations received made available at the meeting. Additionally, two meetings had been held involving the Chairman of Governors and the Headteacher of St. Augustine’s School, the Chairman of Governors and other representatives of St. Patrick’s School, Corsham, representatives of the Clifton Diocese and the Parish Priest of Devizes, the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members, the Portfolio Holder and appropriate Council officers.

Following consideration of the representations received and of the financial, environmental, legal and equalities impacts referred to in the report presented, three options had emerged, details of which were presented. The report recommended Option 2.  However, in response to the Task Group’s recommendations and the further representations received, Cllr Tonge proposed option 3 and this was duly seconded.

Cllr Richard Gamble, Portfolio Holder for Transport explained the difference between the Council’s statutory duty and discretionary power to provide home to school transport.  He guided members through the report, the options considered and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 118