Councillors made the decision after considering a report that detailed the overwhelming lack of support for the plans from over 1,200 people who took part in the recent public consultation. They had previously agreed to review the policy with a view to making efficiencies to the service in order to save money.
The Education Directorate carried out an extensive consultation, involving several drop-in sessions, where they met with 442 people face to face and also engaged with children & young people through two workshop events. The Council also accepted views via an online survey, by e-mail or by letter.
Cllr Clive Meredith, the Council’s Executive Member for Education, said after the meeting:
“As part of our financial planning, all councillors in this authority agreed to review any areas which are significantly and consistently over budget. We were committed to look at potential savings within the current Home to School and Post-16 Transport Policy, but we would not make any decisions until we had spoken to those affected.
“We were pleased that so many people took the time to share their views with us. This only goes to show the strength of feeling within the local community on this issue. We are a listening council and in making our decision today we really have listened to the overwhelming voices of all stakeholders, but in particular parents, who have told us they have real concerns about the negative impact this would have on the children and young people of Blaenau Gwent.
“We cannot continue to push regeneration and skills as a priority for this Council and then vote to withdraw post-16 travel grants, it would be morally wrong. As for Home to School transport the majority of learners who would be affected live in some of our most disadvantaged communities and we are not prepared to cause those parents concern about how their children are getting to and from school every day.
“The vote today in no way eases the financial burden on the authority and these savings will now need to be found elsewhere. We have already made tough financial decisions and there are more tough decisions to come, but we did not feel able to support this report today.”