Why changes were necessary

The possibility of amending the denominational transport policy was highlighted in consultation undertaken early in 2006 regarding the Council’s budget for 2006/07 and future years.

• the Council has to make substantial budgetary savings over the next two years and it is reviewing all areas of discretionary service provision. One of the areas identified for a possible reduction in expenditure, or increase in income, is denominational transport
• costs in the transport sector are currently increasing by more than 9% per year, significantly above the rate of inflation. This makes it increasingly difficult to sustain the current level of discretionary provision against other competing services for which we have a statutory duty to provide. If the policy is changed any potential budgetary savings will be reallocated to other key priorities of the Council
• the Council understands that parents may wish to send their children to faith schools and therefore we need to find a solution which is fair to all and is sustainable
• the impact of transport as a barrier to parents, especially from low income groups, exercising their choice of school is currently being addressed in the Government’s Education and Inspections Bill 2006. (The Bill can be viewed at www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/educationandinspectionsbill). It is important that the Council’s future transport policy is consistent with any arrangements that might be implemented by the Government arising from the Bill. This consultation exercise will take this into account.

Taking all of this into account, four possible options for denominational transport were considered.