U-turn over plans to scrap school transport

TUV leader Jim Allister says the Board’s change of heart is “a monumental victory for parent power”.

Letters had been sent out to the parents from the Board at the end of the summer term stating that the transport service for qualifying pupils at Kells & Connor and Carnaghts PS was being withdrawn and that a parental allowance would be paid instead to help them make alterative travel arrangements.

When details of the correspondence emerged at the end of last month, local politicians were quick to back aggrieved parents, contacting the Board to complain, not least about the suddenness of the decision and a lack of consultation with those affected.

Yesterday (Monday), however, everyone involved in the short but concentrated campaign was celebrating in the wake of the announcement by the NEELB that it ‘would’ be providing transport for the Carnaghts and Kells & Connor pupils come September.

It is understood that this will involve a joint bus service for the two schools.

A spokesperson for the Board said: “Given the concerns identified by parents and schools affected, officers undertook to review this decision. The Board would stress that it continues to be committed to the provision of high quality pupil services within available resources.

“This review has now taken place and the NEELB is pleased to announce that revised bus arrangements will be put in place to these schools which should address the difficulties and concerns people expressed about the earlier decision.

“The new arrangement will be effective from September 2012 to support pupils returning to school after the summer break. The parents and the schools have already been advised of the specific detail”.

Assemblyman Allister hailed the move as “a monumental victory for parent power”.

In a statement yesterday (Monday), he said, “The decision by NEELB to deny a school transport service to these schools was as disgraceful as it was unwarranted. It rightly provoked outrage from affected parents.

“The speedy reversal of this decision by the NEELB is down to the swift and effective action of the parents. I congratulate them for their determination and join in celebrating their victory. Their focused FOI application and articulate defence of the service made it so much easier for public representatives to drive home the demand that the bus service must stay.

“I trust this is now the end of this matter,” said Mr Allister, adding:”I would also encourage parents to make full use of the service so that there can be no excuse to interfere with it.”

UUP MLA Robin Swann described the Board’s change of heart as “very sensible”.

“I am delighted to learn that the NEELB has reversed this decision,” he said.

“After being contacted by many parents, I raised concerns with the Board and it quickly became clear that the process and decision were both flawed.

“I look forward to meeting with NEELB Transport section shortly to review the provision of services to rural communities and to highlight the impact such decisions can have on families and the sustainability of schools.”

A Kells parent, who did not wish to be named, told The Times: “It is such a relief to have this matter sorted. For a number of our families this was creating real angst because of the repercussions for family life, our jobs and the extra financial burden.

“It is a pity we had to go to the lengths that we did but hopefully lessons have been learned by the NEELB.

“We would like to thank everyone in our local community that lent us their support and many thanks to Jim Allister, TUV, for his advice and help”.

The spokesperson for the NEELB pointed out that if parents or schools have any further questions about the arrangements as a result of the revised decision, NEELB staff are available to address any remaining concerns and staff can be contacted on 028 2566 2307”.