North Yorkshire Council leaders have been accused of “letting the harm continue” after they voted against debating a motion to reverse a controversial home-to-school transport policy.
A Liberal Democrat proposal to discuss the rule change, which provides free school transport to a child’s nearest school only, was rejected after Conservative councillors and a majority of Labour members refused to back it.
Councillors were greeted by campaigners waving placards calling for a return to a system based on the catchment system when they arrived for the full council meeting at County Hall in Northallerton.
The motion had been proposed by Councillor Felicity Cunliffe-Lister.
She said after the meeting:
“We all know this policy needs to change and we have a moral duty to do so.
“Leadership means recognising when a decision is no longer delivering what it promised and having the courage to change course.
“Doing nothing is still a decision, and today, the Conservatives have actively chosen to let the harm continue rather than listening to the evidence and bringing catchment back.”
Fellow Liberal Democrat, Councillor Steve Mason, added:
“The council had the opportunity to end this cruel policy, and yet again the Conservatives have reinforced more harm to families and communities.
“It is deeply disappointing that the majority of Labour did not support the vote today, failing to stand up for the rural communities that so desperately need this issue resolved.”
Liberal Democrats say the vote means the new policy will not be changed in time for around 340 families with children starting school in September 2027, whose catchment school is not their nearest.
Ahead of the vote, the meeting heard from parents from the School Transport Action Group (STAG) and local community leaders about the impact the policy change was having on parents, schools and communities.
Councillors were told that analysis by the STAG group concluded that the policy change could actually cost the authority up to £5m a year, rather than make the £3m savings predicted by officers.
But Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, executive member for education, learning and skills on the Conservative-controlled authority, said the analysis was only “one interpretation” of the data, which during the seven-year transition period reflected both the current and previous policies.
She said a post-implementation review of the policy would be presented to councillors later this year, which would give councillors a comprehensive assessment of how the rule change was working.
She added:
“Any decision to reverse the current policy would have wider financial equity and legal implications.
“The current financial strategy assumes delivery of savings associated with the policy and refers to the policy made therefore affect the council’s ability to deliver those savings and could require alternative funding to be identified elsewhere within the council’s budget.
“Ultimately, that may reduce the resources available to support other council priorities and services. In addition, any future policy change would need to be subject to consultation and proper decision-making processes.”
The motion to reverse the policy change will now be referred back for consideration by the children and families overview and scrutiny committee.
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