Peterborough school catchment areas to change and more money from unauthorised absences

The city council’s proposals for its 2019/20 budget include plans to review the catchment areas.

Its budget document states: “By ensuring shorter routes and that more pupils could walk and cycle to school,” the overall cost for having to transport children to school would reduce, bringing a saving of £29,000 in the first year then £50,000 a year in future years.

Another proposal in the budget includes making an extra £10,000 a year from unauthorised absences at school, which are said to be increasing.

The council is proposing to add additional capacity to support schools in enforcing fines and maintaining regular school attendance by pupils throughout the year.

The income from fines goes directly to the council’s school attendance service unless there is a subsequent court case.

Overall, the council is making nearly £11.5 million of savings as it responds to huge pressures on its finances as a result of a £45 million reduction in its government grant (80 per cent) and millions of pounds of rising pressures on children and adults in care.

Even if it makes those savings, a budget deficit of around £3 million will have to be made before April 2019.

To have your say on the latest set of proposals, you can view the budget document on the council’s website and complete an online questionnaire.

Hard copies of the budget and questionnaire will be available at the Town Hall and Bayard Place receptions and in each of the city’s libraries by 9am on Monday, October 8.

The council’s cabinet will consider the proposals at its meeting on Monday, October 15.

Comments received up to 5pm on Friday, November 30 will be considered by the cabinet on Monday, December 3.

The consultation will close at 5pm on Monday, December 10.

Full Council will then consider the proposals on Wednesday, December 12.

Further budget stories

Peterborough’s Visitor Information Centre to be relocated

Reduced bus services and large social care savings included in ‘bold’ Peterborough City Council budget

Big changes to adult social care in Peterborough to save £1m a year