Agenda item

Report ES12010

Members considered a report setting out the purpose, function and efficacy of the School Travel Programme. The report would also be considered by the Children and Young People PDS Committee.

A Member questioned whether School Travel Plans had been effective and he questioned the accuracy of the “hands up” survey as a reliable means for collecting data on school travel. He explained that he would like to see all funding for School Travel Plans used instead for road safety schemes. The Head of Traffic and Road Safety saw the use of the hands-up survey as a cost effective means for collecting data, and the Chairman referred to School Travel Plans encouraging action to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.

In connection with children’s travel to school the Portfolio Holder outlined a proposal to use discretionary LIP funding budget of £100k for supporting School Crossing Patrols whilst continuing to look at alternative funding and sponsorship. Significant work had been undertaken with schools and the provision of up to £100k would help reward those schools prepared to fund school crossing patrols. The Portfolio Holder suggested that £2k could be made available for every school operating a school crossing patrol or willing to see one maintained.

Responding to a question on the duration of the proposed arrangement and whether the funding would also apply to those schools having engineering measures rather than a school crossing patrol, the Portfolio Holder explained that not all schools wanted a school crossing patrol. Nevertheless there were real concerns about withdrawal of funding for patrols and a number of schools were prepared to support them. The Portfolio Holder was inclined to provide discretionary LIP funding to help support patrols, for as long as the funding lasts.

A couple of Members indicated their support for the scheme for the coming year but had concerns with the current circumstances regarding committing the Council for the long term. The Chairman reminded members that the LIP programme was approved annually in September so Members would have the opportunity to review the arrangement. Another Member welcomed the proposed scheme hoping that it would be provided for more than a year. The Vice-Chairman also offering her support enquired of the position for academy schools, to which the Portfolio Holder indicated that the offer should be made where possible irrespective of whether a school has academy status. Another Member also indicated his support for the proposal and for it to include academy schools given that crossing patrols were about road safety.

The Head of Traffic and Road Safety reassured Members that engineering measures would only be installed at schools part funding a patrol where there would be additional safety benefit for children and other local residents crossing during or outside of school hours. Members accepted this assurance.

Overall, the Committee endorsed the Portfolio Holder’s proposal which would lead to the production of a report for consideration at a Special Portfolio Holder meeting.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  the report and success of the scheme be noted;

(2)  the School Travel Team be congratulated on the awards achieved; and

(3)  the proposal to use funds from the discretionary LIP budget of £100k to support School Crossing Patrols was endorsed for approval by the Portfolio Holder.