Leeds Council Executive Board examine EK school bus issue

Leeds City Council’s Executive Board discussed the school bus fare issue at its meeting on Wednesday 22nd June.

Parish Council Chairman Andrew Batty led a deputation to the full Leeds council meeting in March and spoke there of the injustice that village parents feel on the issue. Parents looking for a senior school on Leeds City Council’s own website find that the ‘cut off map’ for Wetherby School suggests homes north of Moor Lane. Homes south of Moor Lane, which is the majority of the village area and homes in Bardsey are clearly shown to be in the ‘cut off map’ of Boston Spa School. 

Despite this, Leeds is using a new measuring system which it says states Wetherby and not Boston Spa is the nearest school and therefore the only one eligible for free school bus fares. Parents now facing a £9.50 charge per child per week are angry.

At the Executive Board meeting on June 22nd, with Parish Council Chairman Andrew Batty and an affected parent in attendance as observers, council officers defended their stance stating those parents who had appealed on grounds similar to a successful appeal by the ombudsman would have their appeal allowed, however this dodges the issue according to Andrew Batty who wasn’t the only person thinking that way. Leader of the Conservative opposition, Andrew Carter, cross examined council officers concerned and implored the council’s Chief Executive, Tom Riordan, to examine the issue.