SBSJ's Ardor site in Heaton (image: Google Maps)
Last week, Judith brought the leader of Bradford Council and representatives of St Bede’s & St Joseph’s College (SBSJ) and the Catholic Academy Trust together to talk about the future of school bus services. This follows Bradford Council’s proposals to cut the services to the school from next September.
Bradford Council’s proposed cost-cutting measures would see the withdrawal of 12 buses to SBSJ, affecting over nine hundred students every school day if agreed. However, the plans have proved controversial. Hundreds of pupils and parents demonstrated outside City Hall last week ahead of the presentation of a petition signed by over 1800 people to Council.
Speaking after the meeting, held at the school, Judith welcomed commitments to work together to find a way forward:
“Everyone involved in the meeting understands the importance of these vital bus services and the difference they make to children and families. The number of pupils going to SBSJ will reduce if safe and reliable ways to get to and from school are removed.”
“It is important that families in South Bradford can still access Catholic education at St Bede’s and St Joseph’s, especially since the closure of Yorkshire Martyr’s. That is why maintaining bus services from places like Wibsey, Queensbury and Bierley is so important.”
“I am relieved that, at this meeting, there was clear consensus on the need to work together on this. I will continue working with everyone to preserve these bus services.”
Mr Bentley, headteacher at SBSJ said:
"We are pleased that the council have acknowledged the strength of feeling on this issue and have committed to working with us to find an alternative.”
“This proposal came as a huge shock, and we hope this marks the beginning of a more constructive process. Ultimately, SBSJ and the council have a clear interest in each other’s viability.”
“Our families now desperately need stability and certainty about the future of bus services in September - a point we have made, and will continue to make, very strongly.”
“We look forward to more constructive discussions on this and an opportunity for the council to prove to our children that they mean what they say.”
Councillor Ralph Berry (Lab, Wibsey) who also attended the meeting said:
“I have taken forward the many concerns local families have raised with me. I am relieved that the council is seriously talking to the school, Judith Cummins MP and local councillors to try and find a way forward to keep the buses running, and are committed to finding a way forward.”
Judith also thanked parents for contributing to the Council’s consultation saying:
“The people who understand the importance of these buses best are the pupils and parents who use them every day. I thank everyone who has taken the time to contribute to the consultation process so far.”
ENDS
Comments