Future school transport network Highways and Transport Panel Tuesday 6 September 2011 and Education and Skills Panel Thursday 8 September 2011

What’s happened so far: Decision made by Cabinet on 21 March 2011 to adopt a statutory only school transport policy The new policy will apply to new and existing pupils from September 2012 Transport for pupils with a statutory entitlement to free transport will continue to be organised by the county council Continue to engage schools and commercial operators in changes post Sept 2012 Some changes already in place for September 2011: - 24 of current 800 routes will be run by commercial operators, - Operators have received information on current E routes in preparation for Sept 2012

1.School routes run by the county council in the future would primarily be for pupils who have a statutory entitlement to school transport 2.To offset costs, any spare seats on a route run by the county council would be available for other pupils to buy 3.the county council will look to get best value for money when purchasing seats for children with statutory entitlement 4.the county council, working with partners, will continue its commitments to the vision, aims and objectives of its sustainable travel strategy. Recommendation: Proceed with amendment Proposal 1 To adopt a set of principles in planning the future school bus network

Proposal 2 To adopt a set of criteria for the sale of any spare seats on routes run by the county council – Recommendation: Proceed with amendment *amalgamate, and amend wording to read “In either case, this is on the basis of a particular medical or social need to travel to this school” Children Looked After* Children with SEN and disabled pupils who do not have a statutory entitlement to transport but may benefit from a seat on a bus travelling as a result of their SEN/disability* Children of low income families, whose income is above the threshold that would otherwise entitle them to a free seat. Low income to be defined as where parents claiming one of a number of benefits Siblings of those who have a statutory entitlement to free transport Distance from school, giving priority to those living furthest away.

Proposal 3 To find alternative arrangements for current routes to schools which may be at risk of withdrawal or a reduction in service as a result of the new statutory only policy Recommendation: Proceed as planned with the withdrawal of Category C routes and reduce the capacity of Category D routes where it is best value to do so through the competitive tendering process. Category A : 174 routes which the county council plans to continue to run from September These routes carry a large proportion of children with a statutory entitlement. Category B Routes: 9 potentially commercial routes Category C Routes: 154 routes at risk of withdrawal unless a third party supplier is identified as the future provider. These routes carry a majority of passengers who do not have a statutory entitlement to transport (includes 79 ‘E’ Routes and 21 ‘800’ Routes, 54 small vehicles) Category D Routes: 46 routes where we propose to reduce the capacity in response to adopting the new statutory school transport policy. Includes 37 ‘E’ routes, 5 ‘800’ Routes, 4 small vehicles

Proposal 4 That the county council would co- ordinate information about school transport with schools/communities and commercial operators Recommendation: Proceed including with the development of SMOTs website

Proposal 5 That the county council would run a centrally managed procurement ‘hub’, subject to demand during the three year transition period (from 2011) Recommendation: Explore further with schools highlighted the potential of the Central Procurement Hub. Update Highways and Transport Panel 8 November 2011, as part of the overall reporting of the Big Herts, Big Ideas project.

Next Steps and Transition Strategy Implement from September 2011 to September 2013: Support Schools Travel Plan Development Offer Continue to work with the commercial operators Support to communities Online survey for Parents

Summary of Recommendations Proposal 1: Principles to be used in planning the future school bus network: Proceed with amendment Proposal 2: Order of criteria for the sale of any spare seats on routes run by the county council: Proceed with amendment Proposal 3: To seek to find alternative arrangements for current routes at risk of withdrawal or reduction in capacity: Proceed, offer the potential to novate existing contracts to schools and deliver a transition strategy Proposal 4: Co-ordinate information about school transport: Proceed, including the development of SMOTs website Proposal 5: Run a centrally managed procurement ’hub’ (CPH) during the 3 year transition period ( ): Explore CPH with schools and update Panel 8 November 2011