Parents to quiz council chiefs over paying for school bus (From Bucks Free Press)
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Parents to quiz council chiefs over paying for school bus
12:28pm Thursday 24th November 2011 in Education
Cllr Mike Appleyard Cabinet member for Education and Skills Cllr Michael Appleyard warned that if savings were not found in school transportation they may have to be made in the classroom – directly impacting upon children’s education.
PARENTS have the chance to quiz council chiefs over cost cutting plans to make them pay for school bus travel in 17 forthcoming public meetings.
The move by Buckinghamshire County council to save £1.4m will be discussed at venues across south Bucks, starting next Wednesday in Marlow.
See related articles below for full details.
Education bosses say the axe may fall in the classroom if the £16.2m transport budget can not be cut.
Under the plans BCC will no longer subsidise bus transport for pupils who choose not to attend their nearest eligible school.
Cabinet announced the meetings after extending the consultation on the proposed changes last week.
Parents are also asked to complete a survey on the council website.
See www.buckscc.gov.uk/schooltransport. For hard copies call 01296 383250.
Key dates and venues in south Bucks Wed 30-Nov-11 Great Marlow School, Marlow 5pm-7pm Totteridge Community Centre 7.30-9.30pm Wed 07-Dec-11 Princes Risborough School 5pm-7pm Cressex School, Wycombe 7.30-9.30pm Tues 17-Jan-12 Woodside Junior School, Amersham 5pm-7pm Chesham Town Hall, Council Chambers 7.30-9.30pm Wed 18-Jan-12 Burnham Upper School 5pm-7pm Beaconsfield High School 7.30-9.30pm Thurs 19-Jan-12 Prestwood Junior School 5pm-7pm
Comments(4)
AmyQ
says...
9:31am Fri 25 Nov 11
Also, in the case of regular/public bus services it costs as much per year to send a child, for example, from High Wycombe to any one of the local schools, not just their very nearest secondary education school. Also, even though a child gets a grammar school place but it isn't the nearest school then your child wont receive the transport costs that are the same in monetary terms a year.
With house prices around grammar schools getting out of hand it seems that the system is becoming even more socially devisive for the "squeezed middle"
bluebanana
says...
10:15am Fri 25 Nov 11
Jim Bean
says...
11:57pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Voyeur wrote:Presumably, by the same logic you also advocate that taxpayers should not subsidise free bus passes and prescriptions for pensioners? And why not allow single people, childless couples, elderly people and pensioners to opt out of subsiding education altogether. As long as they don't expect to ever use the services of a doctor, nurse, dentist, vet, policeman, lawyer or any other educated person then things should be just fine!
I have yet to be convinced that all taxpayers, including single people, childless couples, elderly people and pensioners should subsidise travel to and from school for school children. If children cannot walk to school or ride a bicycle, then let the parents pay for the travel.
Voyeur says...
10:38pm Thu 24 Nov 11