Plaid Cymru Group Leader, Councillor Charlotte Bishop, has slammed Labour councillors for failing to embrace genuine co-operation and collaboration over the ongoing Caerphilly school transport controversy.
The criticism follows a decision not to allow a motion submitted by Plaid Cymru Councillor Theresa Parry, Chair of the Education and Social Services Scrutiny Committee, to be considered before the start of the new school term in September.
The motion sought to reinstate home to school transport for pupils on disputed routes in the county borough pending an independent review of route safety assessments.
Councillor Charlotte Bishop said: “Parents and communities have raised legitimate concerns about the safety of these routes. Yet instead of allowing a debate before children return to school the administration has used procedural barriers to delay consideration of the issue until after the new term begins. That frankly is totally unacceptable to me, fellow Plaid Cymru councillors and parents.
“At the council annual meeting, the Labour leader spoke about co-operation and collaboration. However, co-operation and collaboration cannot simply mean everyone agreeing with the Labour administration. It should mean allowing alternative views to be heard and debated, particularly on issues as important as children’s safety and access to education.”
Councillor Bishop argued that the administration continued to rely on outdated legislation and narrow interpretations of policy rather than addressing the real concerns being raised by families.
“The Learner Travel Measure was introduced in 2008 and sets out the minimum legal requirements. It does not prevent councils from exercising discretion where circumstances warrant it. Roads, traffic levels and community needs have changed significantly since then.
“Children’s safety cannot be forced into an ill-fitting box because of financial pressures or a rigid interpretation of outdated procedures and policies. The question is not simply whether the council can withdraw transport, but whether it should.”
The Plaid Cymru group has also highlighted concerns raised in the council’s own impact assessments regarding educational disadvantage, financial pressures on families and barriers to accessing education.
Councillor CharlotteBishop added: “The vouncil’s own evidence acknowledges the challenges faced by disadvantaged communities and the potential impact these decisions may have on educational participation and equality of opportunity. It is difficult to understand why those concerns are not being given greater weight.
“If the administration is confident that these decisions are correct, it should welcome independent scrutiny, not delay it. Parents deserve answers, and children deserve to know that their safety comes before political convenience.”