A motion on school transport from North Lanarkshire Council’s SNP group went unopposed at a recent meeting.
The motion calls for the establishment of a member/officer working group to review and update the criteria used in assessing school transport provision, marking a significant victory for those advocating for safe walking routes to school.
The passing of the motion means there is now an opportunity to revise the criteria before any changes are made to primary school provision next year.
Additionally, the passing of this motion will ensure that future applications for secondary school transport provisions are revised to align with the new criteria established by the working group.
SNP Group Leader Tracy Carragher stated: “I am relieved that the Labour administration has finally recognised the importance of this issue and did not oppose the motion today for the sake of political point scoring.
“Throughout the review process, councillors from all parties have expressed concerns about the safety of walking routes. It is only logical to take action to ensure these routes are safe.
“We can now finally revise the current criteria to make sure it is fit for purpose.
“I look forward to seeing the working group’s recommendations; however, I want to make it clear that the SNP oppose the changes previously made to school transport provision and will fully fund a reversal of these changes at the next budget setting process.”
Council leader Jim Logue described Councillor Carragher’s comments as “very measured” and withdrew the amendment he had been about to submit.
The motion was therefore carried without need for debate or a vote.
Councillor Logue added: “The council agreed to the establishment of a Member/Officer Working Group to review the Scottish Government criteria of standard road safety issues aligned to the provision of school transport.
“As a Working Group does not have decision making powers, any recommendations from this Group will be presented for discussion at the relevant Service Committee.”
Last month, concerned parents staged another protest outside the council’s headquarters in Motherwell.
High school pupils have already seen their right to free transport affected by a change to qualifying distances and the local authority is currently assessing safe walking routes to school for primary school-aged children, with any changes set to come into effect for the younger children next year.
In a bid to save £3.6million, North Lanarkshire Council agreed to change qualifying mileage limits for free school transport from one mile to two miles for primary school pupils, and two to three miles for secondary school pupils.
With the new parameters, over 400 children at schools in Wishaw and Motherwell no longer qualify.
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