School transport policy to be revised

MEMBERS of Calderdale Council have voted to make an important change in the rules on school transport.

Under the current rule, some parents and carers of pupils living close to the edge of the Calderdale boundary have been missing out on help with the cost of school transport.

But the council’s cabinet has decided that subject to consultation, the rules will be changed.

Currently, families who would have qualified for assistance prior to 2008 for help with school transport and send their child to a school in Calderdale miss out on the help if they live nearer to a school in another local authority area.

The problem has particularly affected families living in Shelf, many of which send their children to schools in Calderdale but live closer to schools in Bradford.

Calderdale changed its home to school transport policy in 2008 following government legislation in 2006.

The revised policy will try to ensure families who qualify for help with transport costs won’t miss out if they live close to a school in another authority but send their children to school in Calderdale.