Claims of systemic errors in the implementation of a controversial home-to-school transport policy are set to be examined by an influential committee next month amid concerns over delays in investigating the issue.
Although not yet confirmed by the council, Councillor Barbara Brodigan, chair of North Yorkshire Council’s children and young people overview and scrutiny committee, says a date of February 11 has been set for a meeting to look at the concerns.
The new policy means the council will only provide free school transport to a child’s nearest school, meaning transport is not offered to catchment schools which are not the closest.
The School Transport Action Group (STAG), which was formed by parents to fight the changes, says members have identified “systemic problems” with how distances are being calculated to determine which schools are closest.
The campaigners say they have reviewed mapping data for 31 schools across North Yorkshire and found that, in every case, routes did not end at a school gate or recognised entrance, as required by the policy.
Concerns have also been raised that routes which are not public rights of way or are unsafe, have been included in distance calculations.
Cllr Brodigan wrote to senior officers at the council last week amid concerns from opposition leaders about delays in agreeing a date for the scrutiny committee meeting.
It is understood officers felt that issues raised by the campaigners would be looked at as part of a post-implementation review (PIR) of the policy, due to take place later this year.
In the letter, the Liberal Democrat councillor said she disagreed.
She added:
“The scope of the review has not yet been shared and, critically, any initial findings are not expected for many months.
“The timetable means the PIR cannot provide assurance or mitigation in respect of concerns that are already live, ongoing and potentially systemic, and which, if proven, may carry financial, admissions, reputational and legal impacts.
“Deferring scrutiny would amount to leaving known risks unmanaged. The existence of a future review therefore does not remove—indeed, it reinforces—the need for urgent elected-member scrutiny at this point.”
Cllr Brodigan has called for the meeting to take place ahead of decisions being taken on the authority’s budget at a full council meeting on February 13.
She also notes in the letter that the leader of the council, Councillor Carl Les, has indicated he wants to install a new chair of the scrutiny committee at the full council meeting.
“It is therefore important that this request is progressed and considered on its merits before any such handover takes effect,”
she said, adding:
“I have carefully considered the concerns raised today by the corporate director and by representatives of the Conservative and Independent Group regarding timing, officer capacity, and forthcoming review activity.
“However, having weighed those points against the evidence now available and the live impacts on families, admissions decisions, and financial assumptions, I remain of the view that this matter cannot reasonably wait.”
North Yorkshire Council’s assistant chief executive for legal and democratic services, Barry Khan, said:
“We have received the request from Councillor Barbara Brodigan and are currently considering when a meeting can be held.”
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