Agenda item

St Arvan’s Petition  

Councillor Penny Jones presented the petition from St Arvans ward on the Home to School Transport Policy, on behalf of Councillor Ann Webb. In reading the wording of the petition, Councillor Jones explained that the petition called for the Council to: 

“Reinstate the fully funded home-school-transport for all the primary aged children who attend The Dell School in St Arvan’s. The speed and volume of traffic which the children will be exposed to is a risk, the road crossing is not safe, and the footpath is hazardous.  

Children attending The Dell School from the age of 4 are expected to walk up to 2 miles each way. The emotional and physical stress of this walk, in all weathers, will negatively impact their mental health, physical health and ability to effectively engage with their learning when in school.  

There are major safety concerns from the children and parents around the safety of the road crossing and footpath, they are expected to walk. The crossing is not suitably lit and wide enough. The path is unlit, uneven and extremely narrow in parts with the close proximity to a high number of cars. In the case of an emergency there is a section of the footpath, which is obscured from view, from the road with no easy way to access it, if needed. The children and parents have safety concerns with regards to walking past the racecourse on race day and the days following”. 

Mathern Petition  

Councillor Lousie Brown presented the petition from Mathern ward on the Home to School Transport Policy. In reading the wording of the petition, Councillor Brown explained that the petition called for the Council to: 

“Retain free home to school transport to the Dell Primary School and to the Chepstow Comprehensive School for the pupils from the Mathern Community Council Area (Mathern, Mounton, Pwllmeyric Hill & Haysgate), as the route to school is unsafe and hazardous, as evidenced by the double white lines from Parkwall roundabout to Highbeech Roundabout.  There is no safe crossing point for pupils to cross the main A48. The volume and speed of traffic on the A48 are a risk. There is insufficient width to the footpaths to walk safely from Mathern to both schools.  

Expecting children from as young as 4 years old to walk up to 2 miles each way daily to The Dell Primary School and for children of 11 years old to walk up to 3 miles each way daily to the Chepstow Comprehensive School in all weathers, carrying school equipment and study material, not allowed to wear outer clothing and storing it to dry during the day at school is not safe, it is emotionally stressful, effects their mental and physical health due to effects of weather and walking in close proximity to a major traffic route, and is a major concern for the parents of said children to ensure they are safe at all times”. 

Councillor Brown also highlighted that the petition had received 222 signatures (plus 7 more), which was a significant proportion of the local electorate.  

 Key points made by Members: 

• Councillor Howarth referenced a recent council motion regarding the adoption of statutory distances for home-to-school transport, highlighting that the motion acknowledged the financial hardship and logistical difficulties this would cause for many families. The motion had instructed the cabinet to directly contact all families whose eligibility had changed, inform them of their rights to appeal, commit to assessing whether a safe walking route exists, and expedite all appeals and compliance processes due to the short notice before the school year. It also committed the council to work with schools, parents, and community groups to explore safe, affordable transport alternatives for those affected. He suggested that the committee should align its actions with the agreed motion.  

• Councillor Peter Strong suggested there were two matters for consideration, one being the general home-to-school transport policy (statutory distances) and the other being the issue of route safety raised by the petitions. He stated that the policy aligns with what most councils in Wales do and was introduced due to financial constraints and contractor challenges and emphasized that the petitions are about the safety of specific routes, not the general policy, and that the council had previously stated free transport would continue if routes were unsafe. He suggested the most timely and effective route for the petitions would be to have a relevant senior officer review the safety of the routes. 

• The Chair (Councillor Jackie Strong), thanked the public speakers for raising important concerns and emphasised the need for timely resolution, so as not to delay decisions for affected families. She expressed her support for the option to refer the matter to a relevant senior officer for inclusion in ongoing work, highlighting the importance of a prompt and practical response. 

• Councillor Edwards also thanked petitioners for constructively engaging with the Council and highlighted the importance of addressing perceived injustices in Council decision-making.  He apologised that he had been unable to attend a recent walk of the route to school by St Arvan’s residents. He expressed concern that options C and D for handling the petitions might delay resolution and emphasised the need for clarity on the process and outcomes if the matter is referred to full Council.  

• Councillor Riley stated her concerns on the home to school transport policy and requested clarification on the committee’s options, particularly after the topic had already been debated at full Council, in particular, what a relevant working group or joint committee would look like, who would be on it, and what its terms of reference would be. She highlighted Freddie Madler’s point about the distance children must walk and expressed her view that the policy breaches the Equality Act and does not support children’s best start in life.  

Deb Hill-Howells, the responsible Chief Officer provided the following points of explanation to assist the Committee: 

• Deb explained that appeals regarding home to school transport, especially in the Pwllmeyric and Saint Arvan's areas, are being expedited, with specific attention to safety concerns such as road crossings.  She confirmed that a qualified officer is reviewing route safety assessments, particularly in response to recent motions and parent concerns. She stated that if a route is not considered safe and available, free transport will be provided.  

• Deb mentioned collaboration with schools and active travel officers to explore solutions like walking buses but emphasised that these would only be considered if routes are deemed safe.  

• She noted that carbon emissions were considered during previous policy changes, and efforts are being made to encourage walking, cycling, or scooting to school where possible, aligning with active travel objectives.  

• Deb stated that the Council is committed to ongoing work with families and groups to address concerns and reassess routes as needed, reiterating that policy changes are not being considered, only specific interventions where necessary.  

• Deb confirmed that she would hope to conclude the review as soon as possible, hopefully within a month, to provide clarity to parents, recognising the urgency before the new school year.  

The Committee agreed the route for the petitions would be option d), to refer them to the relevant officer, Deb Hill-Howells, for inclusion into the ongoing piece of work.