Plaid Cymru councillors have condemned a decision by Labour-run Caerphilly not to reinstate school buses for children that were cut last month.
A notice of motion was voted down at a meeting of the authority’s education scrutiny committee last night (October 13).
The council decision to cut Home To School transport for hundreds of pupils means many have to walk along very busy roads, prompting fears among parents of their children’s safety.
Councillor Charlotte Bishop, leader of the Plaid Cymru group, said: “The motion failed to pass during the education scrutiny committee, an absolutely disgraceful decision.
“It is a sad day for the children and families of Caerphilly. By voting against safeguarding our children on their journeys to and from school, councillors have sent the wrong message to our communities.
“Every child deserves to travel to school safely, and parents deserve the reassurance that their children’s welfare comes first. This should never have become a political issue, and I am deeply disappointed by the outcome.”
Councillor Teresa Parry, who drew up the motion, accused Labour councillors of turning the home to school transport issue into a party political issue.
She said: “My concern has always been the safety of children walking to school on what, I believe, are unsafe routes, As chair of the education scrutiny committee, I am also concerned about their educational outcomes as these communities are mentioned in the Wales index of deprivation for educational attainment. This has been a devastating blow for parents and children.
“I was accused of electioneering in the run up to elections next year, which I take umbrage at as I had tried my best to get it heard by councillors before the September term started.
“The original motion was put in the first week of June but head of legal services Rob Tranter quoted procedural reasons why it could not be heard before November at the earliest. The Labour councillors could have found a way for the motion to be heard then but decided to do nothing.
“There was never a reason to bring politics into the meeting and should never have played a part in the discussion when safeguarding our children should always remain a priority.”
Notice of Motion The notice of motion asks that this Council notes:
1. The ongoing concerns raised by parents, governors, community representatives and elected members regarding the safety of a number of walking routes used to determine eligibility for free home-to-school transport.
2. That many of the route assessments were undertaken during limited periods and may not fully reflect the conditions experienced by pupils throughout the school year, including periods of poor weather, reduced daylight, increased traffic and other seasonal factors.
3. That many communities within the county borough, particularly in valley areas, face unique challenges including steep topography, narrow roads, significant traffic movements and limited pedestrian infrastructure, all of which should be fully considered when assessing the safety of routes used by children.
4. That there remains significant public concern regarding the robustness, consistency and transparency of the route assessment process.
5. That access to Welsh-medium and faith-based education is a statutory choice available to families, and transport policies should not unfairly disadvantage pupils attending their nearest suitable Welsh-medium or faith school.
6. That the safety and wellbeing of children must be the primary consideration in all decisions relating to home-to-school transport.
7. That the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) 2025 identifies 18 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) within Caerphilly County Borough as being among the 10% most deprived areas in Wales for the Education Domain, an increase from 14 areas in WIMD 2019.
8. That the Education Domain measures deprivation relating to educational attainment, skills and training, and that many of the communities most affected are located within the county borough’s valley communities.
9. That barriers to accessing education, including concerns regarding safe and reliable transport to school, have the potential to disproportionately impact children and young people living in communities already experiencing educational disadvantage.
Th