MONTGOMERYSHIRE Member of the Senedd Russell George says Powys County Council’s home to school transport policy is unfair and has advised the local authority to review it.

Mr George believes the policy should be reviewed following a further increase in parents getting in touch with him about it.

Powys County Council (PCC) has a duty to provide pupils with free transport to their nearest suitable school if they live over a certain distance from the school. Parents have contacted Mr George with concerns about the inflexibility of the current policy for free home to school transport. Concerns have increased in light of forthcoming potential decisions on the future of some schools.

Mr George said: “This year, I have seen an increased amount of people raising issues concerning Powys County Council’s provision of free home to school transport.

“With Powys County Council’s ongoing and up and coming decisions regarding the future of many schools, which includes some schools being considered for closure or school language categories changing, it is important that their transport policy is regularly revisited in order to ensure fairness and transparency.

“Powys’ home to school transport policy should allow all pupils and families to be treated fairly, regardless of faith or language choice. The process should allow for individuals’ unique circumstances to be taken into full consideration before decisions are made.

“Clearly, free home to school transport comes at a cost to Powys County Council and so it is also fundamental that the Welsh Government, when funding Powys County Council, take on board the rurality of Powys and the increased costs of providing home to school transport here.

“This is something I have raised regularly with Welsh Government ministers.”

According to PCC’s policy, primary school learners must ordinarily reside two miles or more from the catchment or nearest suitable school, measured by the shortest available route. The distance will be measured from the closest access point on the public highway (which could include suitable footpaths and bridleways) to the learner's ordinary place of residence which is nearest to the school and measured to the nearest school gate.

Transport is not normally provided from home but from a designated pick up point. The measurement is made through the use of the geographical information system (GIS).

For secondary school pupils aged 11-16, they must ordinarily reside three miles or more from the catchment or nearest suitable secondary school to qualify, again measured by the shortest route.

PCC recognises its obligations under the Education Act 1996 to comply with parental preferences regarding choice of school. However, where parents/carers exercise a preference for a school other than the catchment or nearest suitable school, they must make their own arrangements for transport and are responsible for all costs.