Opposition councillors have called on North Yorkshire Council to suspend the implementation of its controversial home-to-school policy change.
In an open letter to the chief executive Richard Flinton, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the authority, Councillor Peter Lacey, has asked for a moratorium on the review panel hearings currently taking place with parents who have been denied a free bus pass for their child.
The Lib Dems, who say the request has the support of Labour and the Green and Independent groups, claim it would be “heartless” to continue holding second stage appeals after the start of term.
Dozens of parents are challenging the council’s decision not to provide free transport to a catchment school that is not their nearest school.
The council has changed its policies to only provide free transport to a child’s closest school in a bid to reduce the £50m it spends on home-to-school transport every year.
Cllr Lacey said in the letter:
“This is not about reversing or challenging the policy but is in the context of emerging and increasingly strong evidence of inconsistencies in the implementation of that policy when it comes to the current second stage appeals process.
“Further, it seems heartless to allow the process of second stage reviews to continue after the return to school next week, which will leave a relatively small number of parents and their children not knowing whether their child will be able to attend the school of their choice, often applied to in good faith based on the policy and guidance available to them at the time of application.”
Cllr Lacey said a moratorium that upheld the remaining second stage appeals would release pressure from the system and would have minimal impact on the anticipated savings from the policy.
He added:
“It would, however, restore some of the lost faith between parents and the council, a precious resource when we come to review policy implementation or address any complaints.
“We simply feel that we need to get the appeals process right as far as possible to everyone’s satisfaction.
“If dealt with fairly, appellants can be satisfied. That there are many parents who are not satisfied speaks for itself.”
It is understood the large majority of appeals submitted by parents have been rejected, despite campaigners claiming the families had a strong argument.
Cllr Lacey is also using the open letter to repeat calls for a review of the new policy, due to be held in 2026, to be brought forward.
He added:
“That such a review is cross-party, independently facilitated and involves parents will be critical for future success."
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted North Yorkshire Council for comment.
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