Agenda item

Cabinet Members: Education & Cultural Services

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/050

Contact: Chris Hilliard, Consultant Deputy Director for Education Tel: 07881 518322

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA10).

The information contained in the annex is exempt in that it falls within the following prescribed category:

:

2.    Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

3.    Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

and since it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, in that disclosure would infringe the rights of the individual to privacy

Report from the SEND Home to School Transport Cabinet Advisory Group formed to consider the proposed changes to post-16 SEND home to school transport policies considered by Cabinet in June and July 2018 and Performance Scrutiny on the 5 July 2018.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the recommendations of the Cabinet Advisory Group (CAG) and to identify those recommendations it wishes to adopt, reject, or postpone pending further consideration.

Cabinet discussion was held in public session without detailed reference to the information contained in the annexes, that remains exempt.

The information contained in the annex is exempt in that it falls within the following prescribed category:

:

2.    Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

3.    Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

and since it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, in that disclosure would infringe the rights of the individual to privacy

Cabinet had before it for a report from the SEND Home to School Transport Cabinet Advisory Group, which had been set up to consider the proposed changes to post-16 SEND home to school transport policies considered by Cabinet in June and July 2018 and Performance Scrutiny on the 5 July 2018.

Councillor Turnbull, Shadow Cabinet Member for Education expressed relief that they had reached the current position. She thanked officers and members. They had found a way to manage the overspend that did not impact on vulnerable families by working closely with a number of schools to deliver the service in a different way.

Councillor Turnbull commented that it had not been possible to explore how far this approach could be taken. This was vital work that should be included in the transformation work in order to protect the most vulnerable. Councillor Turnbull expressed disappointment at the initial way the matter had been dealt with and that it had taken scrutiny involvement and a Council motion to bring about the CAG review.

Councillor John Howson, Deputy Chairman of  Education Scrutiny Committee, explained that Councillor Waine, Chairman of Education Scrutiny Committee, was unable to attend and sent his apologies. On his behalf he passed on the pride that Councillor Waine felt at the work of the Extraordinary Scrutiny Committee held on 18 June 2018 and subsequent efforts that had led to the CAG being set up. Councillor Waine wished to thank those involved and in particular to thank members and Mr John Riches, Head Teacher of Bardwell School. Councillor Howson speaking on his own behalf stated that the approach and recommendations were a helpful way forward. The work had demonstrated a spirit of co-operation. The recommendations introduced an innovative new scheme that recognised the respite care element in SEN transport.

Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Cabinet Member for Education & Cultural Services thanked both Councillors Waine and Howson for their scriutiny and CAG work and gave an assurance that there would be ongoing work and the approach would be embedded as part of all they did.

Lucy Butler, Director for Children’s Services commended the work done and highlighted the respite scheme that was a real plus for parents.

Councillor Stratford, referred to a recent event ‘Buddies at Bleinham’ and asked that his congratulations be passed on to all involved.

RESOLVED:  to note and adopt the recommendations of the Cabinet Advisory Group.