College to march on County Hall
Bus passes for students could double to almost £800 a year if a transport subsidy is dropped, according to City College Norwich.
Their principal has issued a strong statement, calling on the council to reconsider. A protest march is planned, among fears that a cut could price students out of higher education.
In a statement, principal Dick Palmer said: “Post-16 transport support is an investment in the economic future of the young people of Norfolk, not a burden.” The City College head fears that some young people will drop out of learning, if travel costs increase sharply: “Norfolk County Council has a duty under the 1996 Education Act to “identify the transport needs of students and to ensure that transport is not a barrier to them accessing education and training. This duty is not discretionary.”
He argues this step would come as a second blow to students: “The loss of the transport subsidy would come on top of the Government’s removal of the Educational Maintenance Allowance, which provides financial support to 53% of our 16-18 students. Taking away subsidised travel for students is cut too far that will prevent some of our young people from accessing the skills and training they need to secure their futures.”
Alison Thomas, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, explained the council is having to radically change to address the huge gap in finances: “We have been subsiding transport for students to travel to college or sixth form to the tune of £2.5m a year – a greater rate than many other local authorities and a considerable sum for a service that is not statutory. We have already had very useful and promising discussions with college principals about how we can work in partnership to find a solution to what is clearly a very important issue for the county’s young people and have a further meeting planned for next week.”
She added: ”As part of the Big Conversation we want to know which of our services people value the most. We welcome the views of students, colleges and parents and would encourage them to respond via our website.”
Students from City College Norwich will gather outside the College from 10am on Monday, before they march at 11am to County Hall.
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