Cymraeg

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Decision details

Public Questions

Decision Maker: Council

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

Public Question:  Ms Alison Hood

 

What is the Council going to do to help single parents and that of working families who are no longer eligible for free transport from Pentwyn to Llanishen as £420 a year and almost a 3-mile walk for an 11 year old is simply not affordable or safe?

 

Reply:  Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Councillor Merry

 

I understand the frustration of parents and children, particularly when they have to walk past another High School on route to Llanishen High.  This a result of a previous Council decision that was taken back in 2008 to close Llanedeyrn High School, and the consequential redrawing of the catchment area. .

 

It was agreed at the time to provide free transport to Llanishen High on a strictly time limited and temporary basis for 5 years from September 2011 due to the circumstances of the closure of Llanedeyrn.

 

Free school transport is not means tested or provided on the grounds of affordability. The Welsh Government has determined 3 miles as the walking distance over which the Council must provide statutory free transport to pupils of secondary school age. This criterion is applied right across the city. We cannot provide free transport for one group of pupils without providing it for all.

 

Supplementary Public Question:  Ms Alison Hood

 

Do you think that an almost 6 mile round trip to and from school for an 11 year old with a heart condition who is not familiar with the area is a feasible distance for them to walk to and from school after a full day in school and in poor weather conditions?

 

Reply:  Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Councillor Merry

 

As I have said I have every sympathy with the parents and children involved, but 3 miles is the walking distance that has been determined by the Welsh Government.  Actually in England this is the distance judged for children under the age of 8 not 11.  That is the distance that has been laid down and that is the criterion we have to operate within.

 

 

Publication date: 20/10/2017

Date of decision: 28/09/2017

Decided at meeting: 28/09/2017 - Council

Accompanying Documents:

 

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