T19
Legislation Committee No.3
Response to the Consultation on the National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Transport) Order 2010
Governors Wales’ Response
The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Transport) Order 2010 relating to learner transport and concessionary travel
1.1 Governors Wales promotes the effective governance of schools in Wales and provides personal support to individual governors, local governor associations, fora and other groupings.
1.2 Governors Wales is committed to the promotion and effective management of quality provision in schools in Wales.
1.3 Governors Wales welcomes this opportunity to submit written evidence on the proposed legislative competence relating to transport on the terms of the Order and specified areas as identified in Matters 10.2.
1.4 Please note that this submission relates only to the learner transport part of the proposed Legislative Competence Order.
1. What are your views on the general principle that legislative competence in the areas identified in Matter 10.2 be conferred on the National Assembly?
Governors Wales strongly supports the acquisition of legislative competence in this area. The issues arising from the tragic case in December 2002 have not been completely addressed by the 2008 Learner Travel Measure. Matters relating to the safety standards of vehicles could not be covered by that Measure, and that is one of the purposes of this proposed Legislative Competence Order.
2. What are your views on the terms of the proposed Order? For example, are they too narrowly or too broadly drawn?
The balance of the terms is appropriate. It is important, for example, that hire vehicles, such as taxis, are within scope because they are extensively used in rural areas and in transporting learners with Additional Educational Needs. It is noted that the proposed Legislative Competence Order does not cover the technical standards of vehicles which apply throughout the UK, and Governors Wales trusts that this will not restrict the Assembly in setting standards in the key matters such as single deckers, seatbelts, and CCTV which are at the heart of the proposal.
3. Do you have any additional comments relating to the proposed Order?
No further comments to offer.
4. Do you consider that the amendments to general exceptions to Matters, referred to on page 2 of the proposed Order and relating to field 10, would have implications for the effectiveness of any future proposed Measures brought forward under Matter 10.2? If so, please explain why.
No comments to offer.
