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The 10th Annual School Transport Conference
24 Jan 2012
New innovations, efficiencies and revenue streams in times of austerity

Headline Speakers

The school transport sector faces increased demand, increased costs and reduced budgets, leaving many wondering how best to maintain the current level of service.

The drive to cut costs has been ongoing for a few years now, meaning many authorities have already reviewed their operations and delivered significant savings. It is therefore perceived that further savings are much harder to find.

Although the situation may appear bleak, many are exposing themselves as innovation leaders - finding new funding streams and tackling the ever-publicised issue of efficiency.

Now in its 10th year, this national conference for all those working in school transport explored emerging trends, heard the latest policy and guidance and shared best practice.

Programme
10:00
Ian Gwenlan, Chair - School Travel Executive, Association of Transport Co-ordination Officers
Welcome and introduction from conference Chair

10:05
The future of school transport and the Local Sustainable Transport Fund
Catherine De Marco, Head of the Local Sustainable Transport Team, Department for Transport

10:20
Dr Jessica Anderson, Tyne and Wear LSTF Programme Manager, Newcastle City Council
Tackling the school run: a Local Sustainable Transport Fund Bid

10:40
Panel discussion: Session 1
Panel question: What lessons can be learnt so far from the Department for Education’s Efficiency and Practice Review? How can we keep sustainability high on the agenda without school travel advisors? Session speakers

11:05
Refreshments, networking and exhibition
11:30
Andrew Combes, Sustainable Travel Coordinator, Dorset County Council
Child Miles: Understanding the motives behind parental choice of school and the inevitable cost to school transport

11:50
Effective contract management: framework agreements, reverse auctions and contract compliance
Penny McCart, Transport Services Manager, Northamptonshire County Council; Paul Meadows, Contracts Manager, Northamptonshire County Council

12:10
Dale Howarth, Business Development Director, Logical Transport
Driving efficiency through technology: reducing the cost of school and special needs transport whilst improving overall service provision

12:30
Panel Debate: Session 2
How might the introduction of academies impact on demand on school travel? What is your organisation doing to increase efficiency and meet budget cuts? Session Speakers

13:00
Buffet Lunch, networking and exhibition
14:00
Key Issue Seminar 1: SEN Transport
Cross boundary arrangements to reduce the cost of SEN transport; Danny Nicholls, Transport Development Manager, East Riding of Yorkshire Council; Funding Independent Travel Training; Marie Rooney. Independent Travel Advisor, North Tyneside Council.

14:00
Key Issue Seminar 2: Post 16 transport
Reducing the cost of post 16 transport: Steve Roberts, Devon County Council | Damien Jones, Passenger Services Manager, Devon County Council Implementing behaviour change techniques to get young people to walk to school or college: Susan Davies, School Travel Plans Co-ordinator, Caerphilly County Borough Council

14:00
Key Issue Seminar 3: The health agenda
School travel, PCTs and better public health: Dene Stevens, Active Travel & Environmental Sustainability, Sandwell Primary Care Trust

15:00
Refreshments, networking and exhibition
15:30
Sarah Vize, Transport Strategy and Policy Manager, Hertfordshire County Council
Big Society, school empowerment and sustainability: Hertfordshire’s school transport plan and efficiency savings

15:50
West Berkshire’s School Transport Behaviour Project
Steve Doel, Transport Services Officer (Risk Management), West Berkshire Council John Chapman, Director, Jonnie Rocket Ltd

16:10
Panel discussion: Session 4
How do we measure eligibility to ensure efficiency and will the withdrawal or exclusion of transport provision really reduce costs with the need to means test and the threat of appeals and litigation? Session speakers

16:40
Close of conference