Have your say on fines for pupil absences

Pembrokeshire County Council has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the criteria for issuing fixed penalty notices for regular non-attendance at school.

The consultation started on Monday (4th January) and the deadline for responses is Friday, 12th February.

You can take part by going online at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/haveyoursay

A penalty notice is a fine which is used by local authorities as an alternative to prosecuting parents/ carers who do not ensure that their child attends school regularly. However, if unpaid and not withdrawn by the Local Authority, they will proceed to prosecution.  They are only issued when they will help improve a child’s attendance at school.

The Welsh Government requires all local authorities to have a ‘code of conduct’ that sets out how it will manage penalty notices for regular non-attendance at school.

Pembrokeshire County Council developed an initial code of conduct a year ago, in partnership with other councils in Wales.

The feedback which the Council has received from parents and schools during this time has led the Authority to propose some changes to the current code.

To view the proposed changes to the code of conduct, and to give your views, please go online at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/haveyoursay

You can either complete the short online response form, or print off a hard copy and return it to: Early Intervention Officer, Education Department, Pembrokeshire County Council, County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP.

After the consultation closes, the County Council will put together a report on all the responses received.

The report will be considered by the Authority’s cabinet in March 2016.