Bradford Council Considers Alternatives to School Bus Service Cancellations

A headteacher has indicated that two school bus services, previously facing cancellation, might be preserved after “constructive dialogue” with council members. Bradford Council’s intention to discontinue routes serving St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic School and Bingley Grammar School is part of a broader initiative to achieve £40 million in savings. Nevertheless, Lawrence Bentley, the headteacher of St Bede’s and St Joseph’s, informed parents via a letter that the council had “indicated they are actively seeking an alternative to a complete removal of services.” Sue Duffy, the council’s portfolio holder for children and families, stated that although “no decision had been made,” the authority had been “listening to and talking with the schools which are affected.” Mr. Bentley’s communication to parents followed last week’s council meeting, during which over 200 students protested outside Bradford’s City Hall while councillors convened to address two petitions against the proposed reductions. Within the letter, he mentioned that subsequent to the “fantastic show of support from students and families” at the meeting, there has been “ongoing constructive dialogue with the council.” He further stated, “Crucially, the council have also indicated that they are actively seeking an alternative to a complete removal of services.” He concluded by adding, “We are pushing hard for a final resolution as soon as possible.” The proposal to reduce bus services, intended to save £500,000 annually, is included in a series of savings measures previously disclosed by the financially constrained Bradford Council. Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe noted that operating these routes was effectively costing the authority £13,500 per eligible pupil at Bingley Grammar School and £8,000 per eligible pupil for St Bede’s. Duffy stated: “This has been a lengthy and thorough consultation on these proposals, no decision has yet been made. The consultation closes today, and we have been listening to and talking with the schools which are affected as well as the families of pupils who attend. We will now collate all those consultation responses and consider all views before having further conversations with the schools and other partners.” The BBC has learned that the school and its representatives are scheduled to reconvene with council officials in early January.