Talks to take place on Hartlepool school transport as pupils face losing their places due to coronavirus restrictions

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Hartlepool Borough Council chiefs confirmed in July they will still provide free home to school transport for students eligible as required under national criteria.

However they warned the usual concessionary permits previously offered, when there are spare seats on buses remaining which can be paid for, may not be available due to Covid-19.

A question was submitted to Full Council regarding what the council would do to provide school transport for children living in Seaton Carew attending English Martyrs School.

File picture from PA as talks set to take place on school transport.

A motion, raised by Cllr Paddy Brown and seconded by Cllr Lee Cartwright, called for the council finance and policy committee to hold further talks on the matter.

It was added councillors would look at the offer provided to all schools at the meeting.

Cllr Brown said: “While I accept the council has no legal obligation to do this, I think not just the council, but every councillor here, has a moral obligation to get our school children to and from school as safely as possible. “

Cllr Brenda Harrison added it was important they looked at how they could help children at all schools.

She said: “I think we do need to support those people who are finding it a struggle, and I think there’s more people than are going to English Martyrs that are finding it a struggle to get their children to school, and they will find it a bigger struggle in September.”

However Cllr Leisa Smith warned ultimately schools have a responsibility in ensuring children get to school, and added many schools in the borough are paying to provide transport for children.

She said: “The council shouldn’t be responsible for covering that money to get every child to school.

“I believe every child does matter but there needs to be a responsibility for the school to get the child to school.”

Cllr Marjorie James also noted any provision provided to one school, should be offered to all.

She said: “If there is a decision taken to re-establish free transport for English Martyrs, then I would suggest we would have to provide transport for every child that doesn’t go to their normal catchment school, because otherwise we would be discriminating against the majority.”

Cllr Shane Moore added the council was working closely and exploring options with all schools, including English Martyrs, and they will write to parents if the situation changes.

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