East of England Liberal Democrats

Norfolk: Student transport cuts could encourage rural youth exodus new study warns

Plans to cut transport subsidies for post-16 students in Norfolk could have 'serious consequences for the economic viability of rural communities' by encouraging the exodus of significant numbers of young people a new study has warned.

New evidence collated by the Commission for Rural Communities suggests that the migration of young people from rural areas like Norfolk is linked to inadequate transport support, which can prevent them from accessing the right kinds of education and training in their localities and force them to move elsewhere to find better opportunities.

Local Liberal Democrat councillors, who have been running a long campaign to save post-16 transport funding, are hailing this latest research as further evidence that proposals by decision-makers at Norfolk County Council to increase transport charges for post-16 students are unsound. In May this year the County Council's Conservative administration announced controversial plans to increase the transport charges for students from £205 per year to £318, to reduce the concession rate for those from low income families from 100% to 50% and to begin charging students with learning difficulties or disabilities.

Mervyn Scutter, Liberal Democrat Spokesman for Children's Services is adamant that such changes run counter to the Council's declared core value of Investing in the future of Norfolk: "This report recommends with some urgency that improved access to post-16 opportunities is vital if the social and economic viability of our rural communities is to be secured. It also states quite clearly that 'the impacts of subsidised transport must not be underestimated with respect to the success or failings of broad post-16 participation'. For that reason we are absolutely stunned that the Conservatives would even consider reducing transport subsidies for these students. We are convinced that the local authority should be doing everything in its power to find any alternative to making cuts in this area."

Norfolk County Council is currently undertaking a consultation on the subject of post-16 transport and there is still time to make your views known. If you would like to respond to the proposed changes you can find more information online at:

http://www.esinet.norfolk.gov.uk/stratinfra/post16transport/

The final submission date for public responses is Monday 18th September and a final decision on the matter is due to be made by the County Council Cabinet on 9th October.

Notes for the editor:

1.The paper referred to in this press release was jointly written by ippr north and the Commission for Rural Communities, and was first published in August 2006.

2.ippr north is the Newcastle-based office, opened in 2004, of the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr), the UK's leading progressive think tank. ippr was established in 1988. Its role is to bridge the political divide between the social democratic and liberal traditions, the intellectual divide between academia and the policy making establishment and the cultural divide between government and civil society. It is first and foremost a research institute, aiming to provide innovative and credible policy solutions.

3.For a full copy of the paper referenced please go to:

http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/data/uploads/Rural%20youth.pdf

4.Norfolk County Council's Proposals for Implementation from September 2007:

Proposal No.1

Students should pay half of the average annual cost of mainstream transport

Proposal No.2

There should continue to be concessions based on benefit entitlement

Proposal No.3

The concession rate should reduce from 100% to 50%

Proposal No.4

Students with learning difficulties or disabilities should be treated the same as all other students when working out the level of contribution

Please note that this means they should pay the same amount as other students and not an amount based on a proportion of the higher cost of special transport.

Proposal No.5

Introduce a system for dealing with exceptional circumstances

5. Charging Proposals:

Charging levels and anticipated savings if proposals are implemented in respect of all students from September 2007:

Standard Rate (Based on average cost per student of £636 for mainstream transport)

LA Contribution of 50% = £318

Student Contribution of 50% = £318

Concessionary Rate (50%)

LA Contribution = £159 + £318 = £477

Student Contribution = £159

Special Transport

Contributions in respect of students with learning difficulties or disabilities who have special transport needs will be charged at the same rate as other students which will be:

Standard Rate Concessionary Rate

LA Contribution = £2,242 £2,401

Student Contribution = £318 £159

6. For further information about the proposed changes please go to:

http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/groups/public/documents/committee_report/chilserv100506item13pdf.pdf