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MP for Delyn

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Rob Roberts
MP for Delyn

Free School Transport

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Free School Transport

I have been contacted by many local residents raising concerns about Flintshire County Council not providing free school transport to their children.

The Council have told parents that their children do not qualify for free school transport to their chosen school because it is not the nearest (by walking route) which is measured  by a Council route mapping system.  The council say a decision was made during a cabinet meeting in 2018 to enforce their policy strictly due to budgeting issues.

This change has left many families struggling to get their children to and from school and has only added to the anxiety for students in what is a very stressful time.  It also raises the question of safety.  If the council deem a walking route to be safe - but is it?  In many cases not.

The law states that children must be in education between 5 and 16. Nearly all children attend school for their education.  The law on school transport in Wales is set out in The Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008.  However, other legislation, such as The Equalities Act 2010 and The Learner Travel Information (Wales) Regulations 2009 will also be relevant.

This is clearly an important issue, affecting many families especially during the current pandemic situation. 

I have already had several meetings with Council officials and have asked them via a Freedom of Information request to provide all of the supporting data on which their decision was based.  I will do everything I can to represent my constituents and urge Flintshire County Council to revisit and overturn their decision. 

If you are an affected family, know an affected family, or simply a concerned resident who agrees that children should be provided free school transport I urge you to get involved with this campaign and fill our the residents' survey below.

Free School Transport Residents Survey

  • Current Free School Transport Issues
  • Your details
1. Is your child enrolling for the first time in primary or secondary or returning to the same school?
Choose this if you child is a new enrolment in a primary or secondary school this academic year.
Use this option if you child is remaining in the same school, simply moving up a year.
Use this option if you are a grandparent, care giver, or someone who is concerned about this problem
2. Is your child in Primary or Secondary School this academic year?
3. Did you get your preferred placement at the school of your choice?
4. Were you made aware of the Free School Transport policy and its restrictions regarding the nearest suitable school either by a member of council or prospective school staff?
5. Do you have other children who attend the same school as the child who has just enrolled?
6. Has your child been granted free school transport to the school of their choice?
6.1.1 If no to Q6, have you challenged this decision with FCC? –
6.2 If answered yes to Q6, has your child been separated from any friends because their friend has not received free school transport and therefore had to go elsewhere?
8. Would you be happy to support my campaign asking the council to revisit their decision on free school transport?

News

Free School Transport

Delyn MP & MS urge Flintshire County Council to rethink its policy on Free School Transport

Tuesday, 15 September, 2020

The MP for Delyn, Rob Roberts and Member of the Senedd for North Wales, Mark Isherwood are calling for a return to free school transport – after the local Council clamped down on the number of children entitled to use buses without charge.

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Rob Roberts Member of Parliament for Delyn

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