Students battling transport cuts
PARENTS across Norfolk are facing a £1,500 bill to send their children to sixth form as part of Norfolk County Council’s proposal to cut education transport funding.
With a £155 million gap in their budget over the next three years, Norfolk County Council has proposed to cut all subsidies for school and college transport for those aged 16 and over, which will hit rural areas hardest.
James Baillie, 16, a sixth form student at Diss High School has helped organise a petition against the cuts and has received more than 300 signatures.
The petition was organised by student-led group the Norfolk Campaign for Accessible Education (NCAE), of which James is a founder.
“I’m immensely proud of what we’re achieving, and I believe that this is a fight we can win,” said James.
“If the county council continues with this cut it will be a terrible tragedy, imposing a £1,500 poll tax on sixth form education for those living in rural areas of Norfolk.”
Signatories to the petition are concerned the new payment of £784 per student per year, would leave some students financially unable to attend or less motivated, especially in rural areas.
Richard Budds, director of sixth form at Diss High School, said: “I’ve got every sympathy with students who live in Norfolk with the removal of Education Maintenance Allowance and also future prospects of increased tuition fees - and now they are being hit for the third time.
“I have sympathy for Old Buckenham, Archbishop Sancroft and Long Stratton (high schools) as they don’t have sixth forms so all the students have to chose somewhere else to go.”
Mr Budds added praised students for exercising their democratic right in the correct manner.
Suffolk County Council is also proposing education transport cuts.
Over 16s are facing travel cost rises to school or college, while students attending Roman Catholic schools in Suffolk could have their free transport withdrawn.
Following further consultations, the cuts will be discussed by the cabinet in the spring and a final decision is expected by the beginning of the next academic year in September.
Norfolk County Council said the children’s services panel was due to meet yesterday to discuss comments received both on paper and online, as part of the Big Conversation consultation period.
Their views will be reported to the cabinet on January 24 who will make recommendations to the full council on February 14.
The council proposes to end the subsidy from September 2012, meaning a saving of £2.5 million for the council from 2012 to 2013.
Norfolk County Council is still accepting comments on proposed cuts.
n To sign the NCAE petition, visit the website, http://ncae.co.cc
n What impact will the cuts have on you? Email us at, editorial@dissexpress.co.uk or write to, Norfolk and Suffolk House, Mere Street, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4AE.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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