Post-16 Transport In Wrexham Faces Axe

Funding for the provision of Post-16 transport is set to be axed for students who live more than three miles away from their college.

In a recommendation due to go before members of the Executive Board next week, it is recommended that a phased withdrawal of Post-16 Transport takes place in order to make savings of almost £400,000.

Currently over £170,000 of the £374,000 budget is spent transporting students out of county, with 700 students studying in facilities outside of the county borough – including LLysfasi College, Deeside, Oswestry and Chester.

Wrexham Council currently spends in excess of £4.3 million on school transport. £374,800 of that budget is spent transporting Post 16 learners to educational establishments both inside and outside Wrexham’s borders.

In a joint statement released by Lead Member for Environment and Public Protection, Cllr David Bithell and Lead Member for Children’s Services and Education, Cllr Michael Williams, it was noted: “The current situation regarding Post-16 educational transport is financially unsustainable and we have to do something about it that is fair and equitable to everyone concerned.

If the recommendation is passed by the Executive Board next week, students commencing their courses from September 2016 will not be entitled to free transport.

Cllr Bithell added: “This isn’t part of savings for next year, it is to align our budget. We can’t sustain £400,000. The reason we are bringiong this now is so we can make sure there are enough alternative measures and provision to be made.”

In a Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee Scrutiny Meeting last months, fears were raised by councillors that axing the service may impact the number of students who choose to take up post-16 education. However despite a lengthy debate by Scrutiny, councillors voted in favour of no recommendation to take forward to the Executive Board – meaning the initial decision to phase out post-16 transport has not been altered.

The future of Post-16 Transport will be decided by the Executive Board on Tuesday 14th April at 2pm. For those who can’t make the meeting, it is expected to be webcast on the Wrexham Council website as usual.