Agenda and minutes

To issue a welcome to those present, and to confirm if there are any apologies for absence.

None were received.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

Members were asked to declare any interests they may have had in the business to be discussed.

There were no declarations of interest.

An Executive decision taken by the Assistant City Mayor for Children and Young People on 13 May 2025 relating to Post-16 SEND Transporthas been the subject of a 5-member call-in under the procedures at Rule 12 of Part 4D, City Mayor and Executive Procedure Rules, of the Council’s Constitution.

The Commission is recommended to either:

a)    Note the report without further comment or recommendation. (If the report is noted the process continues and the call in will be considered at a future meeting of Full Council); or

b)    Comment on the specific issues raised by the call-in. (If comments are made the process continues and the comments and call in will be considered at a future meeting of Full Council); or

c)    Resolve that the call-in be withdrawn (If the committee wish for there to be no further action on the call-in, then they must actively withdraw it. If withdrawal is agreed the call-in process stops, the call-in will not be considered at a future meeting of Full Council and the originaldecision takes immediate affect without amendment).

The Monitoring Offer submitted a report informing the Commission that the Executive decision, taken by the Assistant City Mayor for Children and Young People on 13 May 2025 relating to Post-16 SEND Transport, had been the subject of a 5-member call-in under the procedures at Rule 12 of Part 4D, City Mayor and Executive Procedure Rules, of the Council’s Constitution.

The Chair invited the proposer of the call-in, Councillor Bonham, to present their reasons for the call-in. The following points were raised:

• The proposed policy did not offer adequate provision for Post 16 SEND school transport assistance.
• Proposals would not ensure that every young person could travel to their place of education.
• A policy was needed that did not lead to parents / carers having to their end employment.
• Families could be forced into poverty if paying for school transport.  
• The following statement was submitted:

The CYPE Commission notes the changes in the SEND Post-16 Transport Proposed Policies since consideration by the CYPE Commission on 25/02/2025.

We welcome that it is now proposed that council funded bus or taxi can be considered in some circumstances. But we note that the Equality Impact Assessment estimates that only 4% (11 Young People) might be offered council funded bus or taxi whereas 80% (167 Young People) travel by council provided bus or taxi this year.

We are concerned that the “demonstratable financial hardship” criteria for consideration of council provided bus or taxi will leave some parents or carers: in severe financial hardship; or unable to source alternative transport; or compelled to give up employment in order to transport young people.

We are concerned that the proposed policy will lead to some Young People not receiving appropriate education and becoming NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training)

The CYPE commission therefore recommends that the following changes be made to the SEND Post-16 Transport Proposed Policies:

Remove the wording of 5.10. and replace with: -

5.10 “Limited exceptional circumstances” will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applications for consideration could be made for example in cases where: -

• A student or a parent/career can evidence that the student’s needs are such that the standard PTB offer will be insufficient and without further support they could not attend their place of education.
• Where despite the support of the standard PTB it is not reasonably practical for parents or carers to provide transport themselves or to source suitable arrangements.
• Where immediate family or family network members cannot consistently be available to support the student with their journey or they do not have use of a suitable vehicle or public transport route.
• Where a parent or carer supporting the student with their journey is not reasonably practical without adverse effects on their other caring responsibilities.
• Where a parent or carer supporting the student with their journey is not reasonably practical whilst continuing in employment, or a reduction or flexibility in hours of employment would cause financial hardship as described.
• Other relevant factors may exceptionally be considered.
• Financial assessments  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.