STILL TIME TO GIVE VIEWS ON POST-16 TRANSPORT

There is still time for people to give their views on proposed charges for post-16 home to school/college transport.
Students, parents and teachers are being encouraged to have their say by completing the online survey before November 10.
The transport section has also been holding drop-in sessions at secondary schools and college campuses all over the county to speak to students and parents directly.
There are two drop-in sessions still remaining at Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi on Tuesday, November 3 between 3.30pm and 5.30pm and Ysgol Bro Dinefwr on Wednesday, November 4 between 4pm and 7pm and they are open to everyone, not just those that attend those schools.
The council currently provides free school/college transport to approximately 3,000 young people aged between 16 and 19 in the county.
However, with a reduction in budget of around £40 million over the next three years the council has no choice but to reduce spending on discretionary services (the things it is not required to do by law) such as post 16 transport. All partners involved have tried to find a way of sustaining the service and the only effective way of doing this is to charge.
Currently there are eight other local authorities in Wales that are already charging and a number of others are considering it.
All comments received as part of the consultation process will be included in a final report for the Executive Board and full council to consider.
Executive Board Member for Transport Cllr Hazel Evans said: “We want to hear from as many people as possible, so if you haven’t already, please fill in the survey online or attend one of the two remaining drop-in sessions.
“Officers have already spoken to a number of students and parents and your views are extremely important.
“We don’t want to introduce charges but we must find a way of being able to continue providing the service as best we can.”
Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the proposed charge would be introduced on a phased basis so that from September 2016 learners commencing their first year as a post 16 student would be required to pay a contribution towards transport costs (not the full cost of travel), which is expected to be between £200 and £250 which equates to circa £5.78 to £7 per week (the charge would be the same for both school and college transport). There would also be an exemption for students that are eligible for free school meals.
Financial support is available from Welsh Government to cover/contribute to the transport costs of those in post-16 education. The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) was introduced as a financial incentive for young people from low-income households to remain in full-time education or training. The Assembly Learning Grant (ALG) is available to learners aged 19 or over who are in Further Education and Welsh Government also provides support for students facing hardship through the Financial Contingency Fund (FCF).