Councillors push to think again on changes to Hampshire County Council home-to-school transport

A CONTROVERSIAL decision for a council to change the way it runs home-to-school transport could be called in for reconsideration.

Hampshire County Council recently agreed changes which would see children with special educational needs and disabilities taking shared transport from pick-up and drop-off points rather than being collected by themselves from home, writes David George of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Council officers said this will save HCC almost £1m, although it is expected that the rising cost of fuel and ongoing driver shortage will somewhat offset this saving.

Tomorrow (Thursday), the children and young people select committee will meet to debate calling in the decision, following requests from multiple councillors.

In a report for members, Barbara Beardwell, head of law and governance and monitoring officer at the county council, said: "Following the decision of the executive lead member for children’s services on 12th July, a call-in request was made by a quorum of members of the children and young people select committee for a meeting of the committee to be held for it to consider whether it should exercise its call-in powers.

"No stated reason was given for the call-in request."

The initial decision was heavily criticised by opposition councillors and the Disability Union.

Criticism focussed on children with special educational needs and disabilities struggling to adapt to changing routines and not always getting along with other youngsters.

The county council insisted each of the 12,000 children using the service would be looked at on a case-by-case basis.

Councillors on scrutiny and select committees have a legal right to request the call-in of a decision.

Under national guidance it is typical for at least two councillors to submit a request for a call-in before it is reconsidered, regardless of political allegiance.

If the motion is passed, the decision goes back before the cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr Roz Chadd, for reconsideration.

Speaking about her decision at the time, Cllr Chadd said: "The fact that it’s going to be on a case-by-case basis means I am in full support of the recommendations.

"We will work with parents and schools over the next two to three years so that the children who are able to meet at a collective point can do so, ensuring our service for the future."

The call-in meeting of the select committee will begin at 2.30pm in Winchester.