Kevin Hollinrake MP has urged North Yorkshire Council to show compassion and flexibility in its new home-to-school transport policy, following a meeting with councillors and officials to raise concerns on behalf of worried parents.
The policy change means free school transport will only be provided to a child’s nearest school, rather than their catchment school, a shift which has left many families facing uncertainty, disrupted sibling arrangements and difficult choices about their children’s education.
Mr Hollinrake warned that the appeals process is already running into the start of the new school term, creating what parents have described as a “summer of stress” and leaving some in limbo over travel arrangements.
He has called on the Council to use discretion in “clearly unfair” cases - particularly where families have older siblings already at a catchment school or where parental work commitments are closely tied to school location.
Kevin Hollinrake MP said:
“I have heard concerns from some of my constituents about North Yorkshire Council’s new home-to-school transport policy, so it was valuable to meet with councillors and officers to discuss their plans and the appeals process.”
Mr Hollinrake has requested that the Council write to him setting out the appeals process in full and explaining how special cases will be handled, so that parents can make informed decisions quickly.
The MP also acknowledged the severe budget pressures facing the local authority, with the removal of the Rural Services Delivery Grant and changes to the Fair Funding Formula resulting in a £40 million annual funding reduction for North Yorkshire.
“The Council is in a very difficult position financially,” Mr Hollinrake added. “But fairness and compassion must still be at the heart of how this policy is applied.” Mr Hollinrake confirmed he will continue to work with both parents and the Council to ensure the policy is implemented in a way that protects families from undue hardship.
