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Policy Review - We really need your help
We need as many people as possible to make an input to the Policy review before the end of May when the comments window closes - please read on for a short explanation of what the review is and how to take part - it only takes a few minutes and the number of responses is really important..........
The Post Implementation Review of the Policy has now started. This is our best opportunity of getting changes made to this damaging policy. Together with STAG, Buckden Parish Council were invited to a meeting on Weds 29/4 with Rachel Joyce - North Yorkshire Assistant Chief Exec. who is chairing the review and with El Mayhew, the newly apponted Corporate Director of Children's Services. Importantly neither of them were involved in the development and implemenation of the policy, so they are coming at this with fresh eyes. This was a really useful opporunity to explain yet again all the issues and concerns with the H2ST policy and to ensure that the senior people doing the review undertsood the scale of the issues and the depth of feeling in the wider comminity.
The fact that we were invited was itself very significant. It is clear that, after two years of stonewalling us, NYC have finally started to listen. Before the meeting we were worried they might just be humouring us. It rapidly became clear that this was not the case and that they were genuinely interested in what we had to say. It was clear at several points that they were surprised by what we were telling them about what has been happening.
All of which is great, but we have to recognise that this is the council and this review going to be a slow and laborious process following all sorts of regulations, rules and protocals - and if the review recommends significant changes to the policy, this could take anything up to two years. Also, it's not enough to convince the officials - councillors will ultimately have to approve it and so far the ruling group has been very resistant to any change to the policy.
Nonetheless, its the best chance we've got of getting change, so we need give it our best shot as a community. The review team are in what they are calling their infomation gathering and listening phase. They are pulling together whatver information they can find within the council - but to make sure that everyone can make their voice heard they have set up a portal for direct input to the review. Rachel has assured us that she is personally reading every submission hrough the portal.
So - what do we need you to do? - Please go to the portal and tell them what is wrong with the policy...........
How to make your views heard
The portal is accessed through the North Yorkshire Council website. This is a direct link to the portal:
Go To: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/v2rusa
There is half a page of blurb, you click "Next", and it takes you to a text box where you can type, or paste in, up 9,999 characters of text (about three pages). Submissions are anonymous.
You click "Submit" and that's all there is to it!
Don't forget to then get your relatives, friends and neighbours to do the same.
What to say?
Well, clearly that depends on what you think. If you have already expressed your views to the council by email or letter, just cut and paste the text into the text box on the portal, adding any other points you might wish to make at the same time.
If you haven't written previously, the panel to the right/below contains a reminder of some of the key issues which have been identified and which are causing the problems.
It isn't necessary to write a lot. All the issues have been aired and documented at length. The key thing is the number of responses submitted. If you only have time to write a couple of sentences - that would be great.
Go to: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/v2rusa
Summary of policy issues and schages needed
Key issues:
Policy dicriminates against families living in remote dales locations
Fails to recognise the topography of the dales
"Nearest School "- based on walked route; the nearest school" on foot may be many miles distant by road
"Safety of school transport routes is not a consideration"
High altitude roads such as Fleet Moss are not suitable for school transport
Broken appeals process
Lack of transport provision to selective schools
It's all taking too long - faimilies need solutions now
Changes Needed:
Where a child is entitled to school transport, then that transport should be to the nearest school by road.
Roads which are unsuitable for school transport should not be considered when determining the nearest school by road.
The limitations on the grounds for appeal need to be removed from the policy
The conduct of and appraoch to the appeals process needs to be rethought.
Transparent process, based on local knowledge
Panel should “act in a way that is fair and rational” and “take account of “exceptional circumstances”
Parents shouldn't feel intimidated or bullied
Where there is no public transport option.Transport should be provided for children who win places at Skipton Girls and Ermysteds.
Policy changes should be applied retrospectively
Changes must be in place for the 26/27 academic year
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