Special needs pupils still waiting for transport

The delay in arranging transport was labelled "pretty shameful" by an opposition councillor

School transport for 121 Stoke-on-Trent children with special needs is yet to be arranged nearly two months into the academic year.

Applications for travel assistance were submitted after the deadline, causing the delay, according to Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Conservative councillor Dave Evans called the authority "shameful" for the prolonged wait time at a full council meeting.

Cabinet member for education Sarah Jane Colclough said details of transport for the approved late applications were "being arranged in line with the procurement process".

The two councillors clashed on whether the council’s school transport policy included a deadline for applications.

The policy states when applications are received after the closing date of 31 May that travel assistance cannot be guaranteed to be in place on the first day of term.

It also states that it will be the parents’ responsibility to ensure their child can get to school.

Evans said: “It’s pretty shameful that after a full half-term, there are still children in this city that can’t access education because the council hasn’t pulled its finger out.”

Colclough told the meeting: “Transport is being seriously looked at, and a review will be taking place on everything that has happened.”

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.