Primary school kids in North Lanarkshire who receive school transport will continue to qualify at the current mileage limits after a u-turn from North Lanarkshire Council.
The council had previously decided to change the mileage limits for primary school children to the legal maximum. That would have meant children living more than two miles from school having to make their own arrangements, rather than those living more than one mile away.
But the Labour administration at the council has decided to keep the limits for primary school children as they are, meaning that primary school pupils who live more than a mile away from school will continue to benefit from free school transport.
In a lengthy statement, North Lanarkshire Council Leader Jim Logue said: “We asked the SNP Government on numerous occasions to either change the legal limits or provide funding to keep North Lanarkshire’s limits as they are, but this plea fell on deaf ears.
“Despite the dire financial circumstances faced by all councils, we have been able to find a financially balanced way to keep our current primary school limits.
“I’m glad we are able to do so. It means North Lanarkshire’s free primary school transport will be at a level more generous than almost every other council in Scotland.
“We know that this will come as a relief to parents, and it was important to us to try to find a solution for the youngest school pupils. I will be moving the required motion to formalise our decision at the earliest possible opportunity and I would urge all political parties to unite behind it for the benefit of all young people.
“The SNP Government has to now consider how it funds councils especially since they have received an additional £3.4 billion as a result of the recent Autumn Statement. I would certainly urge them to do so.”
The news will be a welcome relief to parents who have launched a campaign against the council’s decision.
Last week, the issue of primary school transport in North Lanarkshire reached the Scottish Parliament.
Campaigning mum Kerry-Anne Ferrie, whose son Sean would have been forced over one and a half miles to Cathedral Primary in Motherwell if the plans hadn’t been shelved, said: “At the Scottish Parliament, the voice of our children was eventually heard and, more importantly, respected.
“We now need North Lanarkshire Council to listen to our concerns and reverse the decision before a further 1400 children across North Lanarkshire lose their school buses.
“Whilst, the School Transport Guidance of 2021 makes it clear that a local authority is required to have a regard for the safety of children when considering the provision of school transport, the legislation that sets the minimum qualifying mileage dates back to 1980.
“Given the changes in our environment over the last 40 years it is time to revisit and reduce the qualifying mileage and we would urge the Scottish Government to do so and do so as a matter of urgency.”
Pamela Nash MP for Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke, said: “That North Lanarkshire Council will continue to subsidise free primary school transport is very welcome news indeed.
“The NL Labour Group’s priority is supporting our families and communities, and maintaining the criteria of primary children living one mile from school being able to access free school transport is key to this.
“This decision also reflects the voices of my constituents and the tireless efforts of local campaign groups who have passionately advocated for the well-being of our children. Their dedication has been instrumental in influencing this positive change.”
An SNP Group spokesperson added: “Whilst we are delighted to hear that the Labour administration has finally seen sense, just like the previous (welcome) dramatic U-turn on Active and Creative Communities, it is very disrespectful to make this announcement via the press.
“This Labour administration could have supported the many fully costed options presented by the SNP group at Committee and Full Council over the last few years, but they chose not to and in turn caused parents and guardians great anguish.
“Questions will have to be asked about why Councillor Logue has only now bowed to mounting strains from within his own group after remaining so adamant that changing the distances for transport eligibility was the correct decision. The group continue to disrespect the protocol set out within North Lanarkshire Council’s Standing Orders.
“Notwithstanding this, the SNP Group and indeed the parents and guardians of the children who would have been impacted by any change to the qualifying mileage criteria are delighted that the Labour administration has at long last seen sense. We hope that this change of heart will also mean that there will be a reconsideration of the changes to Secondary Schools criteria.
“The work of the member/officer working group will continue and any substantial changes recommended to the Education and Families Committee in February will be used to assess all future school transport applications.”
Central Scotland MSP Gillian Mackay welcomed worried parents to the Scottish Parliament last week for a Holyrood debate on the issue.
She said: “I’m delighted that North Lanarkshire Council have u-turned on their decision to cut buses for primary school kids. These proposed cuts would have put children’s safety at risk by packing more cars onto the already crowded streets around school grounds.
“This would not have been possible without the relentless campaigning from parents and pupils across Lanarkshire. The determination and commitment from parents and pupils has been inspiring and I was delighted to host them in Holyrood for my member’s debate on this issue.
“There is obviously still work to do on the impact of the increase of the limit on secondary school pupils and I will continue to work with parents and schools on this issue.”
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