Meetings

The Committee considered the two petitions on learner travel together – Petition P-06-1533 (Item 3.2) and Petition P-06-1555 (Item 3.3). Sympathy was expressed with both sets of petitioners, and the impact of decisions taken by local authorities due to funding pressures was noted. The issue was extremely emotive and had been debated in the Siambr. Learner travel was something to review in the next Senedd, and very likely to be raised by young people affected. It was agreed to thank the petitioners and close both petitions in the expectation that it would be raised and debated in the Seventh Senedd.

NDM9101 Carolyn Thomas (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the petition ‘P-06-1555 To review all guidance on Home to School Transport for all of Wales. Free access to an education’ which received 11,790 signatures.

The item started at 15.35 

NDM9101 Carolyn Thomas (North Wales) 

To propose that the Senedd: 

Notes the petition ‘P-06-1555 To review all guidance on Home to School Transport for all of Wales. Free access to an education’ which received 11,790 signatures. 

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36. 

At 16.21 Janet Finch-Saunders raised a point of order to address a comment made by Lee Waters towards Laura Anne Jones following his intervention to her contribution during Item 6 – Debate on petition P-06-1555 To review all guidance on Home to School Transport for all of Wales. Free access to an education.

At 16.42 the Deputy Presiding Officer asked Lee Waters to withdraw his comment. The Member complied. 

Heledd Fychan declared an interest on this item: she had participated in the meeting of the Petitions Committee when it agreed to request a debate on the petition.

The Business Committee considered the request and agreed to schedule a debate on petition P-06-1555 To review all guidance on Home to School Transport for all of Wales. Free access to an education for 14 January 2026.

The petition was considered alongside item 2.2 - P-06-1533 Review and update Provisions 2-10 of The Learner Travel Measure (Wales) 2008

In discussing both petitions, Members acknowledged the strong feelings surrounding the issue, particularly its impact on faith schools, Welsh-medium schools, and pupils from low-income families. Members noted that although the matter has previously been examined in the Senedd by the Children and Young People Committee and raised during a short debate led by Heledd Fychan MS, concerns remain. Recognising the significance of the issue for families, the Committee agreed to write to the Business Committee to request a debate on the petition.